Instead of going to the Rams he enlisted in the US Marines and fought in World War II.

He led the nation in rushing in 1943; 833 yards, 142 carries (5.9 average), scoring 16 touchdowns (still tied for a Purdue single season record) and led the Boilermakers to a record of 9–0 and a share of the Big Ten Title.

He was selected All-American by the Associated Press (AP), International News Service, The Sporting News, United Press International (UPI) and Stars and Stripes; he was also First Team, All-Conference.

[4] Coincidentally, fellow #11 overall NFL draft pick Dave Schreiner (from the year prior) died from sniper fire at Okinawa several months later.

This biographical article relating to an American football running back born in the 1920s is a stub.