Cowboys who served our country

On the 244th anniversary of our country, I wanted to remember some of our greatest Cowboys who served our country overseas during times of war.

The great Tom Landry, HOFer and HC of the Cowboys’ first 29 years, was an Army Air Corps B-17 pilot (before there was an Air Force), fighting in 30 combat missions including one where he was shot down. His brother Robert Landry was killed flying a mission near Iceland in 1944. He rarely spoke of his military service, but his bravery in WWII was a prelude to his cool demeanor on the sidelines as a coach.

Another Cowboys HOFer, Super Bowl hero QB Roger Staubach, served for a year in Viet Nam as a supply corps officer. As a Heisman trophy winner and All American QB from the Naval Academy, Roger had the option of choosing to serve his military time in the US but volunteered to serve in Viet Nam.

Chad Hennings, the talented DT who played for 3 Cowboys SB teams, also an Air Force Academy graduate, served in the Air Force as a pilot flying dozens of missions in the first Gulf War from 1991-92.

Happy Independence Day Cowboys fans. We have many great representatives to be proud of. I’m sure I left someone out. Please add if you know of others.

His fan base here is dwindling, but Rod Marinelli was a Marine Tunnel Rat in Vietnam.

Kaiser said:

His fan base here is dwindling, but Rod Marinelli was a Marine Tunnel Rat in Vietnam.

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Good point.

Cliff Harris was called up to his reserve unit in 1970. I don't think that he was ever deployed overseas, though.

THANK YOU

During that game against the Rams in 1986 where there were threats against Landry's life, I recall seeing the footage and being amazed at how cool and stoic he was in the heat of the situation, but it makes sense in hindsight. Dude came back onto the field with a bullet proof vest.

Landry was a war veteran, who was shot down during a combat mission. He'd flirted with death probably numerous times in far more hostile areas. No lunatic calling in threats was going to scare him.

Go Cowboys.

We have numerous Cowboys fans that served our country as well. I salute you all. Happy Independence Day, my brothers, and sisters in arms.

Let’s not call out our heroes for culture to cancel.

Salute to all of our service men who have put in bravery, effort and sacrifice for our country.

and thanks for the History course of all the former Cowboys players who served our military.

Good thread, but this should go to overtime like my thread did.

By ne saying this, it assures that it won't. You're welcome

Cowboys very first starting quarterback was 5'9 Eddie Lebaron, sometimes called "the little general".

The nickname didn't just refer to his position as a quarterback. During the Korean War, Lebaron was awarded the bronze star for bravery after he led his squadron out of an ambush after the commander had been killed.

Landry killed ****'s. Probably houndreds. Trust. I can understand why he kept silent.

The man's a hero.

https://delanceyplace.com/view-archives.php?p=2574

Tom Landry's older brother, Robert, was also a pilot in WW II. He was shot down and killed while Tom was at UT. His body was never found. At the funeral they buried an empty casket with a copy of his dog tags inside.

Chad Hennings graduated from the Air Force Academy and flew 45 missions in the Persian Gulf.

Amazing thread. Thank you.

My son is currently serving our nation. He doesn't want thanks, just quiet prayer for the safety of his team.

Ranching said:

Good thread, but this should go to overtime like my thread did.

By ne saying this, it assures that it won't. You're welcome

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You're too popular to be allowed to bend any rules. Heck idiots like me might get the idea that we could post innocuous stuff that isn't technically permitted.

Kaiser said:

His fan base here is dwindling, but Rod Marinelli was a Marine Tunnel Rat in Vietnam.

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May not be a fan of his coaching anymore. But I am a fan of his service !!!

NFL.com has a nice page about men who served.
https://www.nfl.com/photos/nfl-members-in-the-military-09000d5d82096c05

Great post

Good job with this!

Techsass said:

You're too popular to be allowed to bend any rules. Heck idiots like me might get the idea that we could post innocuous stuff that isn't technically permitted.

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I think I forgot what innocuous means after my third or fourth concussion...... I think.