Audie Murphy Poems Among New Arlington Cemetery Records Deposit at National Archives

The National Archives has received a collection of historical documents from Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) including Audie Murphy poetry, and rare maps and architectural drawings from the 1830s to 1970s used in constructing land boundaries, roads, and historic structures at ANC.

“Collections like this give new insight into the thought that went into the creation of ANC,” said Archives Specialist Tony Williams. “They also allow the public to engage with the cemetery’s rich history and honor those who served.”

Among the highlights of the collection are several original signed poems by actor and songwriter Audie Murphy, the most decorated American combat soldier of World War II. 

Other deposits include a map with Lorimer Rich's signature, the designer of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the cemetery, and plans for the original James Tanner Amphitheater created by The Fuller Company.

“Some of the maps we received were brittle and discolored, needing immediate remediation care,” said Williams. “Archives staff will provide the ideal conditions to continue preservation of the documents by storing them in a cool, dry place away from direct light and heat. 

“Appraising intrinsic value records requires collaborating with agencies to determine which records may have intrinsic value and thus be good candidates for accessioning to the National Archives to ensure public access well into the future. We are in negotiations with the cemetery to receive more historical records. These collaborative efforts assist in agencies building trust in the National Archives, which sometimes leads to high-value transfers like this one.”

Once the records are processed by the Cartographic Branch staff, they will be available to view in the Cartographic Research Room at the National Archives in College Park, MD. These records will be digitized in the future, to provide online access.