"the New York Giants lost a mighty good end today"
Jun 2, 2021 19:31:58 GMT -5
GameTime, BigBlueDog42, and 4 more like this
Post by IrishMike on Jun 2, 2021 19:31:58 GMT -5
I meant to post this this past Monday but lost track of time. For anyone that has never heard the story of Jack Lummus they should check it out.
He was a stellar baseball and football player back in the 1930-40s and then when WWII broke out he joined the Army Air Corps. He did a fine on his check flight but then clipped a fence while taxiing back to the hangar and was failed out. He then joined the Giants for the 1941 season but after Pearl Harbor (and after the Championship game) he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He joined the Marine Raiders, which were basically the Marines version of Navy SEALs in WWII. Eventually he earned his commission and became an officer. SPOILER ALERT: On February 19, 1945 he landed on Iwo Jima. The fighting was heavy and at one point his unit was pinned down. Jack Lummus took out 3 machine gun nests basically by himself trying to advance the fight. He then stepped on a land mine and lost both his legs. As the doc was working on him he encouraged his troops to keep fighting. While at the aid station he says to the doc "well doc, the New York Giants lost a mighty good end today".
Here's his Medal of honor citation if you are interested:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a Rifle Platoon attached to the 2d Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945. Resuming his assault tactics with bold decision after fighting without respite for 2 days and nights, 1st Lt. Lummus slowly advanced his platoon against an enemy deeply entrenched in a network of mutually supporting positions. Suddenly halted by a terrific concentration of hostile fire, he unhesitatingly moved forward of his front lines in an effort to neutralize the Japanese position. Although knocked to the ground when an enemy grenade exploded close by, he immediately recovered himself and, again moving forward despite the intensified barrage, quickly located, attacked, and destroyed the occupied emplacement. Instantly taken under fire by the garrison of a supporting pillbox and further assailed by the slashing fury of hostile rifle fire, he fell under the impact of a second enemy grenade but, courageously disregarding painful shoulder wounds, staunchly continued his heroic 1-man assault and charged the second pillbox, annihilating all the occupants. Subsequently returning to his platoon position, he fearlessly traversed his lines under fire, encouraging his men to advance and directing the fire of supporting tanks against other stubbornly holding Japanese emplacements. Held up again by a devastating barrage, he again moved into the open, rushed a third heavily fortified installation and killed the defending troops. Determined to crush all resistance, he led his men indomitably, personally attacking foxholes and spider traps with his carbine and systematically reducing the fanatic opposition until, stepping on a land mine, he sustained fatal wounds. By his outstanding valor, skilled tactics, and tenacious perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, 1st Lt. Lummus had inspired his stouthearted marines to continue the relentless drive northward, thereby contributing materially to the success of his regimental mission. His dauntless leadership and unwavering devotion to duty throughout sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country."
