Awards & Recognition
Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame

Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Announced

MCB QUANTICO, VA - The Deputy Commander of the Marine Corps for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, LtGen. Robert E. Milstead Jr., will host the 2011 United States Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony here at the Clubs at Quantico, August 26 2011 at 11 a.m.

LtGen. Milstead will induct LtCol. William McMillan, David Earnest Tork, John Hayden Fry and 1stLt. Andrew Jackson "Jack" Lummus, Jr. in a luncheon ceremony that will celebrate their military and athletic achievements.

McMillan, a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam is a storied shooter of Marine Corps lore who participated in six Olympic competitions, winning the gold and carrying the flag for the U.S. Olympic team in 1960. Tork, a former Marine Captain, broke the World Outdoor Pole Vault Record in 1962. Fry, a former Marine Captain, had a lengthy and distinguished career in collegiate football, to include coaching at Southern Methodist University, the University of North Texas and more than 20 years as coach of the Hawkeyes at the University of Iowa. Lummus, a former collegiate All-American in baseball and football, and a professional football player, was recruited to play for the NY Giants and left professional football after the attacks on Pearl Harbor during World War II. Lummus was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions in combat at Iwo Jima.

The United States Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame honors former Marines who have excelled both on and off the athletic playing field. Established in 2001, Hall of Fame inductees will be enshrined in the National Museum of the Marine Corps at the Heritage Center near Quantico, Virginia.

Thirty-seven former Marines have been selected for the Hall of Fame since it was founded in 2001. Past inductees include baseball legend Ted Williams, Olympic great Robert B. Mathias, International Boxing Hall of Fame member Ken Norton, and golf legend Lee Trevino.

Also to be honored at the induction ceremony will be numerous Marine champion athletes to include the 2010 Marine Corps Male and Female athletes of the year.

For more information about the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame or Marine Corps Athlete's of the Year, please contact Mr. Charlie Rose, HQMC Semper Fit, 703-784-0727, or email: rosec@usmc-mccs.org.

8/17/2011

Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame adds big names

by Lance Cpl. Emmanuel Ramos for the Quantico Sentry, September 3, 2011

Health and fitness has always been recognized by the Marine Corps as crucial components of combat readiness. The dedication and commitment that go into being an athlete are the same as those that have always been instilled in Marines. Those qualities often combine to make great Marines into spectacular athletes and even Olympic champions.

Four Marines were inducted into the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame at the Clubs at Quantico on Friday.

"Today we recognize the achievements of four legendary sports figures," said Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps. "These honored guests helped pave the way for professionally managed, organized sports programs we enjoy today."

Since it was established in 2001, the Marine Corps Hall of Fame has inducted 41 Marines

Lt. Col. William McMillan was the first to be admitted to the hall of fame from the class of 2011 for his distinguished career on the United States Marine Corps Shooting Team.

McMillan's shooting career had an interesting start. While competing on the Brooklyn Navy Yard rifle team at the Marine Corps Eastern Division matches in April 1949, he was given an ultimatum: Either shoot pistol matches or be assigned to brass detail in the afternoon.

McMillan would go on to place first in the tournament and begin an award-winning 30-year shooting career, including an Olympic Gold Medal in 1960 for Men's 25-meter Rapid Fire.

Capt. David E. Tork was next to be admitted into the hall of fame for his accomplished career in pole vaulting. Tork joined the Marine Corps in hopes of being a fighter jet pilot, but a physical revealed an eye condition that would prevent him from flying.

While serving as a battalion special service officer at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Tork managed to perform his duty and compete as a pole vaulter. After winning several competitions, Tork's pole vaulting career was almost put to an end.

"I received orders to do cold weather training," Tork said. "This meant I would have to stop training [pole vaulting]. So I requested a Captain's Mast."

Tork admitted to being nervous, but knew if he could get his commanding officer to change his orders he would break a world record in pole vaulting

"I reported in and told the colonel, that if he would change my orders, I would break a world record in the next three months." Tork said. "He responded, 'do you know what will happen if you don't break that record,' and I said yes."

On April 28, 1962 Tork fulfilled his promise and set a new World Outdoor Pole Vault record at 16 feet, 2 inches.

John Hayden Fry was the third to be inducted to the hall of fame for his distinguished career in college football. Fry completed boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego in 1952 and transferred to Quantico for the Marine Corps Officer School.

While at Quantico, Fry played quarterback for the Quantico football team, and lead them to an All-Marine Corps Championship in 1955. After leading the Marine All-Star team to victory, they were awarded the All-Far East Service Trophy in Yokohama, Japan.

Upon completion of his active duty service, Fry continued to pursue a career in coaching, and after much success with different athletic programs he was given the position of head coach at University of Iowa, where he lead them to three Big Ten Titles, three Rose Bowl appearances and 14 bowl games.

Despite Fry's post-Marine Corps success, his fondest memory is from a tournament as a Marine.

"My most memorable moment was when we played in the championship match for the All-Far East Service Trophy," Fry said. "I broke my arm and the backup quarterback didn't know the plays, so the coach ripped apart a jock strap and tied my arm around it underneath my jersey. It was a gamble, but we won the game."

Andrew Jackson Lummus was the final 2011 inductee to the hall of fame for his accomplishment on the gridiron and on the battlefield.

Inducted posthumously, Lummus played football and baseball at Baylor University from 1939 to 1941, where his coach boasted that Lummus was the best center fielder in the history of Baylor or anywhere else.

In 1941 he was drafted by the New York Giants as a tight end. After the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor broke out, Lummus left his professional football career to serve his country, and joined the Marine Corps on Jan. 30, 1942.

On March 8, 1945, after fighting for two days and nights on Iwo Jima, Lummus lead his men on a spearhead attack on enemy lines. After being wounded in the shoulder by shrapnel, from an enemy grenade, Lummus continued to press on and lead his men. After clearing out a foxhole, Lummus headed to the next, but stepped on an enemy land mine. He attempted to get up, but could not, having lost both legs. Lummus rose up on his hands and ordered his men forward.

Lummus would die later that day after telling Dr. Thomas M. Brown, "Well, Doc, the New York Giants lost a mighty good end today." Lummus was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on May 5, 1946 by President Harry S. Truman.

"Their example [Marines being admitted] of selfless service and athletic excellence continues to inspire countless young Americans to realize unprecedented levels of personal success," Amos said.