RE: Thank You!!!
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November 12, 2009 10:17 AM
[#7]
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wohalliburton
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I'd forgotten about this man, but after Josh brough up Pat Tillman it jarred my memory, about another marine from Texas...although its posted at another place on THF its well worth reading.
I'm reminded of another man named Jack Lummus, who originally was from Ennis, TX and played for Baylor. Unfortunately you don't hear much about him these days. He played as an end for the New York Giants in 1941 and showed great promise, but rather joined the Marine Corps in January 1942 after Pearl Harbor was attacked. He won the Congressional Medal of Honor, posthumously, for his actions at Iwo Jima in March, 1945, which are detailed in the 1965 book "Iwo Jima" by Richard F. Newcomb. Its lengthy, but here's his MOH citation...also well worth reading:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty … Resuming his assault tactics with bold decision after fighting without respite for two days and nights, First Lieutenant Lummus slowly advanced his platoon against an enemy deeply entrenched in a network of mutually supporting positions.
"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 one-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, First Lieutenant 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 United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country."
To which I'd add a quote from the book about how he died:
"suddenly he was at the center of a powerful explosion, obscured by flying rock and dirt. As it cleared, his men saw him rising as if in a hole. A land mine had blown off both his legs that had carried him to football honors at Baylor.
"They watched in horror as he stood on the bloody stumps, calling them on. Several men, crying now, ran to him and, for a moment, talked of shooting him to stop the agony.
"But he was still shouting for them to move out, move out, and the platoon scrambled forward. Their tears turned to rage, they swept an incredible 300 yards over the impossible ground and at nightfall were on the ridge, overlooking the sea.
"There was no question that the dirty, tired men, cursing and crying and fighting, had done it for Jack Lummus."
After being hit by the land mine, the legless Lummus was carried to a battlefield hospital and lived for several more hours.
There, according to surgeon Lt. E. Graham Evans, Lummus was thinking of football when he uttered his final words.
“I guess the New York Giants,” Lummus said, “have lost the services of a good end.”
Lummus’s Medal of Honor was presented to his mother, Laura, on Memorial Day 1946. His remains were buried in Ennis, Texas, two years later.
For most young men, reaching the NFL, playing in its championship game, would be the crowning achievement of their life. Lummus's gravestone tells us only that he was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Sorry for this being a little wordy, but if this doesn't get to you nothing will. We need to never forget the Pat Tillmans and Jack Lummus' who gave so much.
The historic marker in Ellis County (I believe) is pictured below
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