The Greatest Vols! Nowling,Klarer,Tucker,Fuson

[volplaya8]

This is the day to pay respect to the greatest Vols ever. 4 men that are the true epitome of a Volunteer! Thank you for allowing us the privilege to live in this country! Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice!

Bill Nowling​

Bill Nowling
No. 32 was worn by Bill Nowling (Aug. 8, 1920 -- Aug. 9, 1944), a fullback 1940-42, from St. Petersburg, Fla., a three-year starter under Robert Neyland and John Barnhill. Nowling and fellow Vols Rudy Klarer, Willis Tucker and Clyde Fuson lost their lives fighting for America in World War II. Their numbers, including 32, were officially retired in 2006 prior to the Air Force game.

Rudy Klarer​

Rudy Klarer
No. 49 was worn by Rudy Klarer (March 9, 1923 -- Jan. 6, 1945), a reserve guard in 1941 and starter in 1942, from Louisville, Ky. Klarer and fellow Vols Bill Nowling, Willis Tucker and Clyde Fuson lost their lives fighting for America in World War II. Their numbers, including 49, were officially retired in 2006 prior to the Air Force game.

Willis Tucker​

Willis Tucker
No. 61 was worn by Willis Tucker (May 10, 1918 -- Nov. 28, 1944), a graduate of Knoxville High School, who earned a Vol football letter in 1940 and was a sprint star on the Vol track team. Tucker and fellow Vols Rudy Klarer, Bill Nowling and Clyde Fuson lost their lives fighting for America in World War II. Their numbers, including 61, were officially retired in 2006 prior to the Air Force game.

Clyde (Ig) Fuson​

Clyde (Ig) Fuson
No. 62 was worn by Clyde (Ig) Fuson (May 11, 1923 -- Dec. 4, 1944), a native of Middlesboro, Ky., and fullback on the 1942 team, who shared playing time with Nowling. Ig had a younger brother, Herschel (Ug) Fuson, who was a freshman on the 1942 team and transferred to West Point where he graduated. Fuson and fellow Vols Rudy Klarer, Willis Tucker and Bill Nowling lost their lives fighting for America in World War II. Their numbers, including 62, were officially retired in 2006 prior to the Air Force game.

 

[ptcarter]

Thanks OP. Those were trying times. My Mom was in a dorm at UT heading home for Christmas when she learned that Perl Harbor was attacked.

 

[volplaya8]

Thanks OP. Those were trying times. My Mom was in a dorm at UT heading home for Christmas when she learned that Perl Harbor was attacked.

Unbelievable stories..this was my great uncle…great read if you happen to have the time..he made it to 103! Not too shabby!

William E. Wester-Personal Page

ussslcca25.com

 

[Volfan1000]

This is the day to pay respect to the greatest Vols ever. 4 men that are the true epitome of a Volunteer! Thank you for allowing us the privilege to live in this country! Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice!

Bill Nowling​

Bill Nowling
No. 32 was worn by Bill Nowling (Aug. 8, 1920 -- Aug. 9, 1944), a fullback 1940-42, from St. Petersburg, Fla., a three-year starter under Robert Neyland and John Barnhill. Nowling and fellow Vols Rudy Klarer, Willis Tucker and Clyde Fuson lost their lives fighting for America in World War II. Their numbers, including 32, were officially retired in 2006 prior to the Air Force game.

Rudy Klarer​

Rudy Klarer
No. 49 was worn by Rudy Klarer (March 9, 1923 -- Jan. 6, 1945), a reserve guard in 1941 and starter in 1942, from Louisville, Ky. Klarer and fellow Vols Bill Nowling, Willis Tucker and Clyde Fuson lost their lives fighting for America in World War II. Their numbers, including 49, were officially retired in 2006 prior to the Air Force game.

Willis Tucker​

Willis Tucker
No. 61 was worn by Willis Tucker (May 10, 1918 -- Nov. 28, 1944), a graduate of Knoxville High School, who earned a Vol football letter in 1940 and was a sprint star on the Vol track team. Tucker and fellow Vols Rudy Klarer, Bill Nowling and Clyde Fuson lost their lives fighting for America in World War II. Their numbers, including 61, were officially retired in 2006 prior to the Air Force game.

Clyde (Ig) Fuson​

Clyde (Ig) Fuson
No. 62 was worn by Clyde (Ig) Fuson (May 11, 1923 -- Dec. 4, 1944), a native of Middlesboro, Ky., and fullback on the 1942 team, who shared playing time with Nowling. Ig had a younger brother, Herschel (Ug) Fuson, who was a freshman on the 1942 team and transferred to West Point where he graduated. Fuson and fellow Vols Rudy Klarer, Willis Tucker and Bill Nowling lost their lives fighting for America in World War II. Their numbers, including 62, were officially retired in 2006 prior to the Air Force game.

Thanks for their service and RIP to each of them.

 

[Hacksaw]

BILL NOWLING -- William Eugene Nowling was the son of Bruce and Elizabeth Nowling of St. Petersburg, Florida. Second Lieutenant Nowling was serving with the 10th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division in France when he was killed in action August 9, 1944. Nowling was a 3-year starter for the Vols at fullback and a member of the 1940 national championship team. During his time on The Hill (1940-1942) the Vols lost just four games. Bill is burried in Royal Palm South Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Florida.

WILLIS TUCKER -- Willis Norris Tucker was married to Hazel Florence Hicks. He attended Knoxville High School. First Lieutenant Tucker was killed in action in Germany, in the Hürtgen Forest on 28 Nov 1944 ("by a booby trap"). At the time of his death he was assigned to B Company, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. Tucker was a graduate of the University Tennessee, where he starred in track and played on the 1939 team that was unscored upon, and also the 1940 national championship team. Buried in Knoxville National Cemetery on November 21, 1947 (Section X, Plot 41-B), Willis was initially buried at the American War Cemetery, Henri-Chapelle in Belgium.

CLYDE FUSON-- Clyde E. Fusion was a native of Middlesboro, Kentucky. His parents were Lafayette Bethane Fuson and Dovie Davis Fuson. Private Fuson was with F Company, 335th Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division when he was killed Dec. 4, 1944 in Beeck, Germany (near Aachen). Clyde was a fullback on the 1942 team that finished 8-1-1 and went on to beat Tulsa 14-7 in the Jan. 1, 1943 Sugar Bowl. Clyde is buried in Hurst Cemetery in Bell County, Kentucky.

RUDY KLARER -- Rudolph Fulton Klarer was a native of Louisville, Kentucky. Second Lieutenant Klarer was assigned as a platoon leader in E Company, 180th Infrantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. He was killed Feb. 6, 1945 at Alsace, France and posthumously awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. Klarer started in his final year for the Vols after serving as a backup his first season. Following the 1943 Sugar Bowl victory over Tulsa, he immediately left the team for U.S. Army Officer Candidate training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Rudy is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Louisville.