When you opened the www.LippertBrothers.com website, the Home Page has a descriptive moniker under both mine and Edward’s photos … with ‘dogface’ and ‘aluminum’ being the key words under the photos.  If you read Edward’s Story, you clearly know why he is called An ‘Aluminum’ Soldier.  Let me discuss the story of why I am called A Dogface Soldier.  There is a song and a movie behind this story.

To understand fully, first read about the definition and history behind the word Dogface.  Also, listen to the song Dogface Soldier on a 45 rpm record by Russ Morgan and His Orchestra.  The song was written in 1942 and became one of the most publicized songs of WWII.

Here is a link that discusses the original Dogface Soldier’s song lyrics, which were later changed to avoid the word “kraut”  which became a derogatory word after the war. Can you pick up on the other few changes?

Do the name Audie Murphy and the movie “To Hell and Back” strike a bell with your memory?  Army soldier and war hero Audie Murphy was one of the most highly decorated combat soldier of WWII and of all time.  He spent 3 years active combat service and achieved a total of 33 awards and decorations.  If you like ballads, Audie Murphy has one to enjoy!

Beginning his service as an Army Private, Audie quickly rose to the enlisted rank of Staff Sergeant, was given a “battle field” commission as 2nd Lieutenant, was wounded three times, fought in 9 major campaigns across the European Theater, and survived the war.  Murphy called himself a Dogface Soldier.

He became quite famous after the war … becoming a movie star appearing in 44 movies.  His most famous role was portraying himself as a soldier in the 1955 movie, “To Hell and Back”, which was based on his 1949 autobiographical novel by the same name.  Here is a video “To Hell and Back”, which has some scenes with Audie.

The movie held the record as Universal’s highest grossing picture until 1975 when it was finally surpassed by the movie Jaws.  In the opening credits, the melody of the song Dogface Soldier is played as the troops are marching.  This was Murphy’s 16th movie on his list of 44.

He has an impressive memorial website.  He died in an airplane accident in May 1971 at the age of 46.  On June 7th 1941, Audie Murphy was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery.  His grave site, near the amphitheater, is the second most visited grave site year round.  President Kennedy’s grave is the most visited.

As you might imagine, I consider it an honor to be called and died A Dogface Soldier.