Silver Star, to / Capt. Fe lon Durand eee ae Admiral Nimitz Pins Medal on Junction Citian for Gallantry in Action at Tarawa. Capt. Fenlon A. Durand, U. 8. Marine Corps, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Durand, 335 West Chestnut street, has been awarded the Silver Star medal for gallantry and in- trepidity in action against the en- emy in the bitter fighting at Ta- rawa in the Gilbert Islands, ac- cording to word received by his} parents. The award was presented to him |} by Admiral Nimitz at an undis- closed point in the Pacific an| March 1. Many other awards for | the action at ‘Tarawa were present- ed at the same time. The citation accompanying the award stated: “For conspicuous gallantry and | intrepidity during action against geomy Japanese forces in Tarawa, | Gilbert Islands, November 20, 1943, | while serving with the Secondf Am- | phibian Tractor Battalion, Second Marine Division. While leading his company of amphibian tractors during the initial assault on this island, Captain Durand’s command tractor was unmobilized and Set afire one hundred yards from the beach ‘by enemy shell fire. “Taking command of the infan- try troops in his tractors, he caus- ed them to abandon the tractor and disperse in the shallow water shortly before two more enemy shells completely demolished the. tractor. In the water he found his crew chief who had been blown out of the tractor and was suffer- ing from Numerous __ shrapnel wounds and the loss of both legs. “Although subjected to concen- trated enemy. sniper. and machine gun fire, Captain Durand impro- vised tourniquets and rendered first aid to his crew chief. Thea, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, he supported the wounded marine in the water and swam with him for more than an hour in an effort to save his crew chief's life., His gallant courage and heroic ‘conduct were in keep- ing with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps.” | 6? h. Abeererl, Lee aged elle jo al hawt aff Ly 4E 4a” Aaa aa AU. !-§ Co LA Lhngoks LZ Car es Pouanid AUlwcedin A, Dlaot F307 yi oe Cte | ee. Boil Fei o Kia ee a Agusta ball backs Home (4 Agar 0m al, patie July 20, 1944. Mr. Brice B. Durbin, JPey Myers Hagl, 1200 Oread Avenue, Lawrence, Kansas. Pear Brice: acacia cipding ten'end hike watitiik ecole yu ive we 24, I intended then to query you further regarding yow enrollment in Physical Pducation. There is no exemption for boys on - aecount of their age. Any boy that enrolls in the University, unless he is exempted by. the University physician, Dr. Canuteson, is expected to take ens conditioning exercises three times a@ week. I would suggest that you come in and see Mrs. liulteen at once and she will explain to you how you may enroll in Physical Education at the College Office. If there are any problems that are bothering you, Mrs. Itulteen or I'can explain them to yOue . Our physical conditioning for civilians is not the commando course and is no more strenuous than the physical education a get in the normal high school conditioning course. Sincerely yours, Director of Physical Fducation, FCA:AH Varsity Basketball Coach, © cee EE NN en Be DUT AE gC eign Ca eel Re ee JAS. HOLECEK, DIRECTOR Cc. L. BRUNER, CLERK J. K. DOOLEY, TREASURER THE FIRST TO CONSOLIDATE IN KANSAS BURNS CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS BURNS UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT 156-65 OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT BURNS, KANSAS 7 July 1944 Dr. Forrest C. Allen Basketball Coach University of Kansas Lawrence i Dear Dr. Allen: My son, Brice Blaine, entered Kansas University the first of July. He is not yet seventeen so I know he will have some difficulty getting accustomed to his new environment. He wents to get his ropes about the athletic situation there, especially with reference to basketball, I am wondering if it would be asking too much to have you give him a ring and have him come up and talk with you. He is staying at Myers Hall in Dean Barr's home. It would be difficult to tell you in words just how much you have influenced his life. Since meeting you when you gave the commencement address he has been a constant admirer. It has given impetus to his school work and meant much in many more wayse He wants to go out for basketball. He understands the competition is keen. He has been taught to do his best and if that is not good enough, then take his hat off to the other fellow. Whatever advice and suggestions you can give him about the university will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for whatever assistance you might be to him, With kindest regards and best wishes, I am Very gratefully yours, Brice Durbin, Superintendent cee ceek July il, 1944, Mr. Brice Durbin, Supt., Burns Consolidated Schools, Burns, Kansas. Dear Superintendent Dubin: After the rush of pre~enrollment I am planning to have Brice, Jr., come in to see me very shortly. I thought I would have met him in my Physical Education lectures that - I give to all the freshmen, 'xut I do not notice his name listed. I etarted tiuis morning with the 7:30 and 8:30 clesses, and will check up to see why he is not on one of these lists. € I am also expecting to have sumer basketball practice real soon, so I am sure it will be a very short while now. Thank you for your kind remarks regarding what small influence I have had on Brice'’s life. It is always a pleasure for the older fellows to pass on some of the ex- periences to youth if they are in a position to do so. I assure you I will regard our meeting as a very favorable oppor- tunity to do amything thet is within my power. T am glad that Brice is with us, and we trust that you and Mrs. Durbin will find epportumity to visit him and us in the near future. With all good wishes, I am Sincerely yours, Direstor of Physical Rducation, PCA :AH Varsity Basketball Coach. From v4 To Dr: Fareest C. Allen \Ahe- Armand Lvlsewi 106248 / UMarversi ty ot Mansas hawserice | APO- 954 ome lt q (aaa i¢ b eet Master an ¥hane/s<0, Cafib. (CENSORS STAMP} ane - | Ogty bea ah he LO 48 5 Veer * oc, : ‘ RL me tanto “yew Kost Ce rey. at at Jory bo hod l Qt i ohne tr Senter steht ye f - the lls OM ( Ou CL onal e t sabes tative wah An a, Am vee Un Wawro ond y aa Sa bus wo Vad ee sate ty and yrst ;, ff Gan TV a eg J ve ee i f or J pet oul hal ; Aten be Paanecands | : ee ow anench tonite oy ' at a. dé. Ot ed a ugerde | eT ae, Atte Vs rn . cee sire, Ln rane 0 ae a > al STN See sceeintetgiesinttnblianie k 4s LY LV VP pe. 0 Onmane & kun MOL2PF 6 GA, C4 Le Ose — Vit G /P Yay ae _ > ewe te Re dirs tey Ss eee LO oe 5 a — a ih at anke fee’ fo ereey- ees wae ait iene ae rea LOC = ene? : Sen ee it nas EST aN Lg LATTA I ete fini % Seca ARK CE a me ae a PEELE AE LILLIE OEE GE LLG A ia 3 ' ; . * = sae ba foce Che a ene Apne | a Bob Allen MY DAILY LOG The day of our departure, “ec. 25, a final basketball practice was called for 9:00 Asis sharp to enable the players to have plenty of opportunity to catch the 1:00 P.M. Streamliner. Because of the delinquency of the players in arriving for practice on time, the train nearly left without the Kansas Teams At the station to see the team off, as well as to bid goodby to Dean Lawson, who was on his way to a meeting in Cleveland, were Mrse Malott and her three ehilevens Once safely on the train the trip settled down into ecard games and conversations with tho passengerse One of the card games was a bridge game between Bob Allen and John Kline, on one side, and Bob Johnson and Bill Hogben on the other. Hogben later demanded a new player; so Arnold was switched for Johnson who was accused of faulty passing and promptly placed on the benche : In Kansas City the team stopped off to have their pictures taken before continuing Chicagoward. At Kansas City an lleyear old little girl, named Connie Herbert, got on the train with her small red-haired brother who was “osmost five" as he explained when questioned. They immediately proceeded to capture the hearts and monopolize the entire conversations of the basketball playerse Toward the end of the first day's journey some of the boys went back to the club car where an inebriated gentleman, who lived in Chicago, but who spent much of his time in Kansas City, assured the boys that Kansas was a cinch to beat Fordham, Temple, and Loyola, but "all I worried about ish Oklahoma," he s@ide : Arriving in Chicago at 9350, we were whizzed across town at the risk of our lives in yellow cabs and finally came to the Allerton Hotel. A 20minute walk ensued @ fter which some of the boys bought Chicago malts, which gave them their first reason to wish they were home againg ‘hen to bed, eight good hours of sleep, and then, no doubt, another rush for a train in the mornings The second dey's trip began with nearly missing the trein at Chicagoe But at 9:50 a. me, we were safely on our way. Again the beys settled into card games and conversations with the other passengers. About 12:30 the call went es for food which culminated in the team members signing & petition demanding nutriment. The reply from the coach was that Mahatme Ghandi had gone 40 deys without food for - @ principles but what éonfused the pleyers was that they couldn't see for what principle they were sacrificing. If it were to save expenses, thon ell I oan sey is GA Dasmi cone Kenyser end his articles. So it was not until 3:50, when we hed arrived at Ann Arbor e thet we finally sew foods BE Miensecensoue sas so little of it that all it did was to one c the gnewings of hunger momentarily. At 4:00 pe ms we practiced on the beautiful Michigan Ue intramural building floore It was large enough for about five regulation basketball courts. Practice over, Ne Sanneman and 5, Allen visited the barber shop where they discovered that Karsans are still considered “Rubes". ae wits were fifty cents and a dash of hair of1 was two bits extra. A really fine meal at the cafeteria at the Ue of Michigan followed. Cur hunger completely satisfied this time,s: ome of the boys doutioek: 4a\'ge to bed innediately in preperation for having to get up at 6:45 Be Me the next morning. Others went to see "South of Suez with George Brent and Brende Marshall. Tomorrow is awaited with high expectancy b. all, for we ere to see Canade and Niagara Fallse December 25 We left Ann Arbor, Michigan at 7:50 AM, enroute to Niagara Fallse On the train we chatted with a young Canadian flier who was in war trainings For those of us who were seeing the Falls for the first time the sight was awewinspiring, beautiful beyond descriptione The Canadian falls were seen first and most of us agreed that they were prettier than those on the American sides | ; The rest of the evening until 10;00 PeMe was spent in seeing the city, shows, and taliding to a pitiful drunk who expounded the evils of drink and then predicted that two out of the fifteen men on the trip would turn out to be drunkards, like tee was, because of some womane At 10:00 P.M, we got on the Pullman and went to beds December 26 At 8:00 Aelie we were awakened by good old Deane at 9420 we were in West Point where Major Neiss and Captain Messenger (a former Army football star of 1928830) and Roland Logan, the Army trainer now and & former Kansas trainer, met use We then went to the Thayer West Point Hotel for breakfast, after which we were shown around the academy. At noon we ate at the Army Mess Hall which seats 1,600. Only the plebes were there, however (the others having gone home on furlough), and so the Mess Hall was relatively empty. When we entered, the whole corps present cheered and clapped for us until we knew not whether to run or to take a bowe After dinner we walked out to the Amy Meld House and worked out on - the Army basketball court. ‘Then at 4:30 P.M, we left for New York City and arrived at 6:30. After eating at Child's restaurant we all went out to Madison Square Garden where we saw Illinois beat Manhattan and Santa Clara beat CeCeleYe Between halves of this latter game most of the team worked out on the Garden floor, but Vance Hall and Bob Allen were suffering fron flu and did not work oute Bob Allen December 27 On this day most of the team decided to take a tour of the city, but I stayed in bed trying to shake the flue Nose drops, throat swabs, and treatments comprised my day until at 6:50 along with Dr. Allen, "Hutch" walker, Bob Johnson, Howard Engleman, Jim Arhold, and John Kline I went out to hear Fred Waring's Chesterfield Programe Then we came back to the Piccadilly Hotel for an early bed, in preparation for our game with Fordham. December 28 Getting up about 8:00 AeMe we,all started out for Radio City Music Hall to the Katherine Hepburn in “Philadelphia Storye" But a buneh of the boys got mixed up and went to the ReCeA» building and didn't get to see the shows Then we went back for lumche At 2:00 P.M, we took our mapse Arising out 5:30 we got our toast and coffee at the Piccadilly where we saw Marthe Raye who was beering up, She assured us that we would win from yordhame But that night we found to our sorrow that the combination of influenge among our team members and Fordham all around good play were stronger factors than Miss Raye's assurance » Se we disappointed ourselves and most everyone else in losing 53 to 42, The second game of our double header that night, which we witnessed found NeY.U, nosing out Mimesota in a thrillers After this second game we wont to the Lincoln Hotel where we ate with @ number of KeUs alumni and heard Tony Psteur and his orchestras His best song was “Let's Do It." December 29 On this morning we slept Sees some a the beys continued cooing New Yorke Then, at 4:00 Pe me we left for Philadelphia. Upon our arrival we immediately went to the suartinere Field House to work out. Coach Bill Stetson of Sear tners,, and Bob Reed, editor of the Country Gentleman, met us at the train ‘ad took us to the = Field House. That night we went to our retreat at the beekih Haven Inn where we disturbed ‘the old folks during thetr ‘Sunday night musio recital. Aster cating, we hoard ‘the President's speech, and then retired. ie December 30 _ We got up about 8:50 a. me, and all wont into Philedelphia. mad Allon, rss Allen, Gul HG Lined got off at the 0th Street station, ont then went on downtown where Bob had his interview with Dre Pepper. qean of the Ghivereity of Pennsylvanis Medical School. The rest of the aye viektad Bob Peed 's office at the Curtiss Publishing Company Butlding, and visited many historic Philedelphia sights. | | All of us then met and ate lunch at the Benjamin Franklin. Then we went back to the Strath Haven Inn, went to bed, ia then prepared for our game with the Temple Owls. The game that night was extremely hard fought, wat the undefeated Owls kopt themselves uniefeated by winning, 40°35 | After the game, some more Ke Us alumi joined the team, and ell ate at Hora and Hardnart's Cafeteria. | December 31 On this morning we nesrly Rissed the train at Chester» Coach Stetson took some of the boys te the babetietecan. and the Strath Haven station wagon took ethers, bet about eight ef us had to wait until Coach Stetson came back for use When we finally arrived at the station about a minute borers the train wae scheduled to leave, we found some of the boys who had gone down earlier were not theres After several frantic minutes of search, we finally found the missing men » INTERCOLLEGIATE AMTHLETICS THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA NORMAN - OKLAHOMA Feb. 25, 1944 Forrest C. Allen University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear "Doc":- Since 1939, our National Association of Basketball Coaches of the United States has been opposed:to "goal-tending". That year the Rules Recommendation Committee made the following recommendation: "It is believed that goul-tending would be eliminated if the team whose player touched the ball in its down- ward flight following a shot, before the ball has hit the back- board or rim of the basket, be penalized by awarding the goal to the opposing team". This year the national rules committee has finally come -around to our point of view. J. W. St. Clair, chairman of the National Rules Committee, recently made the statement, "After observing the basketball games in Madison Square Garden during the holidays, the N. C. A. A. Tournaments and Inivtution Tournament, I am convinced more than ever that the biggest problem in basket- ball today, and one I hope can be solved soon, is the matter of the tall man in the role of a goal-tender". In this year's guide, under, "Changes in Rules", one of the proposals to be studied and covered in the questionaire is practically the same suggestion our organization made in 1939 which reads, "Award a field goal when a defensive player touches a try for goal above the level of the basket after the ball has started its downward arc..." As you know this questionaire will go to the high school coaches as well as the college coaches which means the picture will not be a clear one. We are out-numbered about 25 to 1, and yet high schools are not bothered with this goal thievery to the extent of colleges. I would appreciate:a prompt reply to the enclosed form along with any suggestions you might have not covered in my questions. Since our national organization will not convene until after the war, I am in hopes that I can submit your answers as evidence to the members of the rules committee before they convene in March this year. That is why it is imperative I should hear from you by return mail. Sincerely, bre rake Bruce Drake Coach of Basketball bd:rh oe Do you use a goal-tender? Yes + ° Has your team played against one? Yes « No. ° His name « School « Years or years you played against him ° Do you think this practice of goal-tending, which is legal according to our rules this year, is a progressive step which will eventually make for better basketball? Yes « No . Something should be done to curb the practice of goal-tending. Yes e No : e cnet To curb this practice I suggest the following remedy. Check one. A. Award a field goal when a defensive player touches a try for goal above the level of the basket after the ball has started its downward arc. B. Raise the bine’ to l2 feet. C. Your suggestion:<-- Name School INTERCOLLEGIATE » ATHLETICS THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA NORMAN -. OKLAHOMA March 18, 1944 Dr. Forrest C. Allen Basketball Coach University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas Dear Doc:- Thanks to you for your letter to Harold and 1. We both feel deeply honored. In spite of the opposition we are getting to your 12 foot basket, I feel sure that you will have the last laugh. Not now, but it's coming and I'm convinced that it is the only sound solution. It's going to take time. At least they are giving the matter some thought---some a little shallow, but the fine part @f it is that they are opening their eyes. I have She questionaires back from gixky= ore coaches, and only four of the group say, “leave the rules as they are". The fumny thing about their answers is that they all use a goal-tender. All the rest of them say something should be done to curb this practice. About 85 % of them say to make it illegal for a defensive man to tough the ball on it's downward flight by awarding a field- goal. Only two of the group say raise the basket to 12 feet. Here's the way I have the thing figured out. They can see this goon take baskets away from them, and it makes them unhappy, in fact very unhappy. They haven't however, given much thought concerning the damage he is doing on the offensive basket. They don't stop to realize that when a giant is throwing the ball down thru the basket he is doing the same thing to you at timt end of the court. However I've taken this attitude after considerable deliberation. It is obvious that now isn't the time to push the 12 foot idea of yours, altho it's before them. They have all said that something should be done about it and have given various solutions to it. Most of them haven't the vision of the out- come of moving the baskets up, but if we can eliminate one end of the court, it will give them a chance to concentrate upon the basket in the future that we want them to. In other words I feel certain that if we can eliminate goal-tending this year, it won't be long until they will see how it should be in effect at both baskets and the only solution will be a-la-Allen. Nes pa? I'm tickled to death that most of them are vitally interested in getting something done. I read an account of your talk the other nite and you advocated that you. were in favor of "freezing" the rules and have a committee (not the N.C. A. A.) do some work on proposed changes. That's a fine idea, and I suggested to Hank that we try the proposed suggestion in the rules this year in relation to goal-tending. He laughed and said, "It's not in the rules". In other words, I don't believe that any coach that employs a goal-tender as a defensive weapon will ever agree to sacrifice him in a game. It would be breaking up his defense which really is asking quite a favor unless youare fortunate enough to have one yourself. Then of course the man with the taller Player piayexr would say no. As far as this &ssue is concerned, I believe you INTERCOLLEGIATE > ATHLETICS THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA NORMAN : OKLAHOMA Page 2 must put “teeth" in it. Other proposed changes such as five personal fouls, raising the basket, feee subsitttions, etc could very easily be tried out in a conference, the results of which would be invaluable. The thing that has irked me, and if I'm wrong please set me right, is that the rules committee is dealing with high-schools as well as colleges. With this in mind, when questionaires are sent out by this body, they embrase a lot more high-schools than colleges, and we fail to get the problems that confront us across. We are out-voted. Is this right? Well I'm going back to the National Coaches meeting in N. Y. and go to bat against goal-tending, and then turn over my questionaires over to Jimmie St Clair and hope that it get across. Whether or not the cards are stacked against me or not, I do kmow that 92% of the coaches all over the United States say something should be done to curb this practice. If the Rules Committed fail to recognize this college problem, them I'm in favor of pulling away from them and the N. C, A. A. at the same time and get a group of men that will see to it that college basketball is fumigated to rid her of lice and blood suckers. Since rely ( a. / I N a 3 é Ss %aH . s DUM A df 4 wh m F 7 ra Bruce Drake Coach of Basketball P., S. Give my regards to Mrs. Allen, and excuse mistakes please. I have hagd a hard enough time pressing the right keys, but like a lot of officials make a lot of mistakes. I'm leaving for N. Y. tomorrow and will be at hotel Belveders March 20 thru March 27.