8

the good fortune to engage Dell Davidson, Alan's father, as superintendent back in
1920. Dell, being a great athlete in his own right has always been fond of all
forms of competitive athletics. Hence, several boys on our Jayhawk varsity teams
speak with affection of Dell. So, naturally, blood being thicker than water, Alan.
was gratefully acknowledging the understated tribute we paid his dad. Alan writes;
"IT was very much pleased to receive your letter the other day with the No. 17 copy .
of "Jayhawk Rebounds." I was especially happy to have this copy because of the.
splendid tribute given to. my Dad. His faithful efforts and loyalty are simply a
part of his make-up, but I do know that they have been further inspired by you and
that his life has been happier and more complete because of his association with
you and the other fine men with whom he has worked.

"I realize that putting out "Jayhawk Rebounds" is quite a chore but I
see it is good and I'm glad you have me on the list to receive future copies. Your
story of the dream touchdown is really something. But say, do you remember the
time we dedicated NU's stadium at Lincoln in '23 with a score of 0 to 0? I recall
how we were not allowed the usual warm-up on the field but the eleven of us to
start were placed in a corner of the locker room and of all the crazy (?) things,
you started reciting poetry to us and there we sat absorbing your thought and stew-
ing in our juice. It was time for the kickoff!! Finally we were released, fight-
ing, bawling mad and eager. Eleven players made a dive for the door - what a jam.
I'll never forget the white heat of that pent up energy and determination. "Potsy''
Clark came out on the field, apparently to say something, but took one look at his
eleven and walked off without a word. A team was never keyed up to a tighter
pitch. The records may not bear me out but as I recall the Cornhuskers had the
ball inside our 10-yard line four times and we had the ball inside their 10-yard
line an equal number of times. It was the toughest, hardest game in my three years .
of football. One time NU had the ball on our one-yard line and four downs to go.
Four times they gave the ball to the big NU: fullback, Noble. He was big and fast
and started away back and came with a terrible. crash, but in the end, we took the
ball and they had lost six inches:in four attempts. Well, anyway , that's the way
I remember it. Once again, thanks for the letter."

We mentioned previously. that "Potsy" Clark will be with Nebraska this
year. To the old timers, it will seem strange to have him across the field on the
opponent's bench instead of » ae on the Kansas side.

Major Tad Reed was in on Friday, August 17, to see me. He was on his
way to Kansas City. I am sorry that I missed you, Tad. I will never forget the
great game that you played against Nebraska, but yours were all great games, Tad.

You gave everything you had.

We are indebted to the Official Navy Publication, Industrial Incentive
Division, Navy Department, Washington, D.C., for the Navy's exceptional tribute to
William Warner Abercrombie, Ensign, U.S.N.R., "For extremely heroic and courageous
performance in combat. The loss of 29 lives, typifying valor, loyalty, and deter-
mination, was the price paid for Torpedo Squadron Eight's vital contribution to
the eventual success of our forces in this epic battle of the air." --from the
Presidential Unit Citation awarded Torpedo Squadron 8, April 5, 1943.

"This is the story of Torpedo Squadron Eight. A story of brave men,
handicapped by obsolete equipment. Brave Navy men flying to certain death against

the enemy.