TRIVIA 11/11 In honor of our VETS

Who is the longtime Celtic that flew 28 combat missions as an aerial gunner and was awarded 7 service medals during WWII?

Tom Kelly?

Nope

ok, has to be Mark Blount

here is a bit of a hint

As an aerial gunner on a B-24 he flew 28 combat missions with the 15th Air Force in World War II, earning seven medals.

Shortly after VE Day, as his unit broke camp in central Italy, XXXXXX wandered up a nearby hillside to a graveyard filled with American flags, his final visit to fallen comrades before returning home to the Bronx. A prolific poet, he penned these lines:

“I stood among the graves today and swept the scene with sight.

“And the corps of men who lay beneath looked up to say goodnight.

“The thunder still, the battle done, the fray has passed them by;

“and as they rest forever more, they must be asking, ‘Why?’ ”

beat

beat,

I think we need Bob on this one.

Pete

He died on 1/3/93 at the age of 69

"Havlicek Steals the Ball"

DJ

I think you are on to it!!

beat

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Most

From Mike Carey's book, "Voice of the Celtics, Johnny Most's Greatest Calls":

As World War II escalated, he spent his first year in tank destroyers before transferring to the Army Air Corps where he served three years. Becoming a waist gunner and radio operator aboard a B-24 bomber, Most flew 28 missions across Europe and was awarded seven major battle stars, a Purple Heart, the Distinguised Flying Cross, the Air Medal and two Presidential Citations.

Johnny seldom talked about his World War II expereinces. The memories, particularly the loss of many close friends, were too painful. As Celtics president Red Auerbach said, "Heroes don't go around taking bows for being heroes, but for those of us who knew his background, his combat experience was just one more reason to hold him in high regard."

Great Veteran's Day trivia question, Beat.

Thanks Carpe

When in college 1975-76 I had the absolute honor of sitting in the press room and talking to Johnny for a few minutes at a Buffalo Braves game.
He loved to hear me talk about my driving around trying to hear his voice thru the static of AM radio.

I remember when he had his legs amputated and I sent him a lengthy letter.
Perhaps more than any player he was a connection, MY connection to the Celtics.

Johnny, on this day to remember, thank you, and thank all who served and are serving.

11th minute of the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month! Take a pause to remember, never forget their sacrifice.
All gave some.......some gave all.







beat

Beat

You know what is weird. A lot of those guys are starting to talk. Late in their life. My Uncle Rigsby would NEVER mention the war except on rare occasion to other vets and he talks to me in detail about it now every time I see him. He saw a lot of combat but only got shot behind our lines by a pow who got a gun away from his captor. It is pretty clear what kind of impact world war 2 left on him.

Best

Jeb

And DJ it was you who turned me on to Mr. Most so thanks for that.

jeb65 wrote:And DJ it was you who turned me on to Mr. Most so thanks for that.

"AND WHAT LAIMBEER DID WAS DISPACABLE!!!!!!!!

Mahorn playing like a stevodore!

Aw geeze I'm on fire!

"JoJo tricky dribbles left.
JoJo tricky dribbles right.
Stops and pops.
BANG!!!"

Johnny Most was one of a kind.

He diddles, he daddles, now he doddles..........

If I could ever find the clip of the gamein europe when he did the play by play against a europian team. "now there is a pass to the big guy....over to a bearded guy now back out to the small guy over to #10 now."

Johnny had no clue how to pronounce their names.

beat

Oh.... I so remember hearing that....classic.