OpsLens

In Light of Protests and Politics, Let Us Remember the NFL Veterans of World War II

“Today’s amazing athletes stand on the shoulders of these great men, who put their country before their careers.”

On December 7, 1941, 27,000 Americans watched the Washington Redskins cruise to a 20-14 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles at Griffith Stadium. During the game, the loudspeakers announced that various government and military officials in attendance needed to report to work. Players and fans were blissfully unaware that Pearl Harbor had been attacked and the nation was now at war.

Nearly 1,000 athletes in the National Football League joined the ranks of 16 million Americans serving in the Armed Forces during World War II. The NFL was so depleted by the war, that in order for the league to survive, teams merged or were scrapped altogether. But professional football continued. 21 players lost their lives, and many lost valuable playing time to the service.

Below are some of their stories.

Walter R. Waddy Young

After being named a consensus All-American as a right end for the University of Oklahoma and leading the Sooners to their first-ever bowl game in 1939, Walter R. “Waddy” Young was drafted by the NFL’s Brooklyn Dodgers. When war breaks out, Young left behind his professional career and enlisted in the Army Air Forces, ultimately becoming a bomber pilot. Young racked up 9,000 combat hours flying a B-24 “Liberator” in Europe.

Once the Nazis surrendered, Young transferred to the Pacific Theater and began flying the new B-29 “Superfortress” heavy bombers. After a raid on mainland Japan, a bomber in Waddy’s group was struck by a kamikaze fighter. Rather than leave the stricken crew to their fate, Waddys Wagon left formation and accompanied the damaged B-29 to relay the location to search and rescue crews.

Waddy and his crew were never heard from again.

James L. Mooney Jr.

Before enlisting in the Army, James L. Mooney Jr. was an All-American end and punter for Georgetown, playing five seasons in the NFL. Cpl. Mooney was killed by a German sniper in Sourdeval, France, just days before his fellow soldiers in the 28th “Keystone” Infantry Division liberated Paris and triumphantly marched through the streets of the French capital.

Al Blozis

Fellow “Keystone” soldier Al Blozis, formerly an all-pro offensive tackle with the New York Giants, joined the Army after the 1943 season. Blozis was so large (6’6”) that the Army had to waive its size restrictions and permitted him to play three games during the 1944 season while he was on furlough. The former Georgetown track legend set the Army grenade throwing record by launching a grenade over 94 yards downrange — soon after he was shipped overseas as a platoon leader.

When two of his men failed to return from a scouting mission in France’s Vosges Mountains, Blozis set out alone to recover them – he was never seen again. The Giants retired his number 32 jersey and he was named to the 1940s All-Decade Team.

Jack Lummus

Fellow Giant, Jack Lummus, joined the Marine Corps after playing nine games at end during the 1941 season. While serving stateside, he served as a military policeman and entered officer candidate school. He then underwent training as a member of the elite Marine Raiders.

Lummus landed on Iwo Jima with the 27th Marines, and on March 8, 1944, the platoon commander conducted an incredibly daring one-man assault against three enemy fortifications. After being wounded several times by grenades, and despite withering fire from the fortifications, Lummus wiped out the defense network. He continued his charge, attacking further positions before a land mine blew off both of his legs. Before he died, Lummus told a corpsman: “Well, Doc, it looks like the Giants have lost a good end.”

For his actions, 1st Lt. Lummus was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor – the nation’s highest award for combat valor.

Maurice L. Footsie Britt

Capt. Maurice L. “Footsie” Britt played nine games as an end for the Detroit Lions before reporting for duty as a platoon leader in the 3rd Infantry Division. Britt saw extensive service in both the North African and European Theaters, participating in landings at Morocco, Sicily, and Salerno, and Anzio.

While fighting in Italy in 1943, Britt led a handful of men in repelling a German attack on his company. Despite being outnumbered and seriously wounded, Britt wiped out an enemy machine gun crew, killing, wounding, and capturing several German soldiers – in addition to freeing captured U.S. troops and saving his company from potential devastation. For these actions, Britt was awarded the Medal of Honor. Together with his four Purple Hearts, he owns the distinction of becoming the first soldier in World War II to earn America’s top four valor awards – the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, and Bronze Star. In fact, he received the Bronze Star twice.

John E. Jack Chevigny

Former Chicago Cardinal head coach John E. “Jack” Chevigny, whom Knute Rockne called “the best right halfback in Notre Dame history,” joined the Army and was soon transferred into the Marine Corps Reserve as a 1st Lt. There, he coached the Camp Lejeune Leathernecks football team to a 6-0 record after taking over at midseason. Chevigny requested an overseas assignment – he was killed while landing with the 27th Marines on Iwo Jima.

Edwin B. King Kong Kahn & Ruey Young Bussey

After a standout career at the University of North Carolina, Edwin B. “King Kong” Kahn joined the Boston (later Washington) Redskins, and was selected for the all-NFL team in 1935. When war breaks out, Kahn joined the Army – ultimately becoming a 1st Lt. He was hit during the Battle of Kwajalein and mortally wounded in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Also killed during the invasion was Ruey “Young” Bussey, who traded his Chicago Bears uniform for Navy dungarees after the 1941 season.

Bussey – one of 45 Chicago Bears to serve in the military during World War II – was backup for starting quarterback and future Hall of Famer Sid Luckman, who served in the Merchant Marines. The Bears’ legendary coach George Halas – who briefly played centerfield for the New York Yankees before co-founding the NFL in 1920 – served as a Naval officer in both world wars.

Tom Landry

Future New York Giants punter – and later, iconic coach of the Dallas Cowboys – Tom Landry flew 30 missions in the European Theater as a B-17 co-pilot with the 493d Bombardment Group.

Howard W. Smiley Johnson

Following his two seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Howard W. “Smiley” Johnson received a commission with the Marine Corps — he went on to fight with the 23rd Marines at Kwajalein, Saipan, and Tinian. Johnson, twice awarded the Silver Star for valor, was hit by a Japanese shell while fighting on Iwo Jima — the mortally wounded officer refused medical assistance until his men were treated first.

Keith Birlem

Maj. Keith Birlem played back for the Washington Redskins and Chicago Cardinals before becoming commander in the 508th Bombardment Squadron. During a training mission over England on May 7, 1943, Birlem’s B-17 “Flying Fortress” collided with another bomber, killing all 20 crewmen.

Chuck Concrete Charlie Bednarik

Before his Hall of Fame career at the Philadelphia Eagles, Chuck “Concrete Charlie” Bednarik was a waist gunner for the Army Air Forces and flew 30 missions over Germany in a B-24.

Michael M. Nick Basca

Former Eagles halfback and kicker Michael M. “Nick” Basca served as a tank commander in Gen. George S. Patton’s Third Army. Landing on Utah Beach and fighting his way across France, his tank was hit by a German 88mm shell near Obreck, France, immediately killing Basca.

Charles E. Charlie Behan

Charles E. “Charlie” Behan played one season at end for the Detroit Lions before joining the Marines. On Okinawa, Behan was hit in the mouth by shrapnel, and despite losing the ability to talk, refused medical evacuation. Instead, he shoved cotton in the wound and continued to fight. As the 29th Marines charged up Sugar Loaf Hill, 1st Lt. Behan lead the way, taking an exposed position to guide his troops. Behan was killed by enemy fire and posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.

Dan Heywood

University of Southern California Trojans end and punter Dan Heywood is drafted by the Marine Corps in the middle of the 1943 season. Despite playing only five games, Heywood is named to the All-American team before shipping out to the South Pacific aboard the battleship USS Iowa. He is drafted again – this time by the Detroit Lions – despite his overseas service, but will not be able to play for his team until 1947. Heywood will return to service during the Korean War, and again during Vietnam, as commander of the 26th Marines, before retiring as a colonel in 1974.

Heywood and Harry Marker, who played one game for the Pittsburgh Pirates (modern-day Steelers) in 1934, own the incredible distinction of serving during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

While today’s news from the National Football League is dominated by social and political issues, instead of athletic accomplishments on the field, let’s remember that football is a game that should bring us together and not divide us. During our nation’s wars, patriotic Americans in the NFL sacrificed their careers on the gridiron and laced up combat boots for the battlefields of Europe, the Pacific, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Today’s amazing athletes stand on the shoulders of these great men, who put their country before their careers. Let’s hope they can honor these fallen heroes and the great country they fought for by keeping personal politics off the field and returning the NFL to the proud legacy it represents.