Former University of Tennessee football player and assistant Bill Barnes, who would later become coach at UCLA, has died. He was 91.
Mr. Barnes died Thursday at Santa Monica Hospital from complications from pneumonia. He had spent the last two-plus months in the hospital.
In his seven years at UCLA - he took over prior to the fourth game of the 1958 season - Mr. Barnes compiled a record of 31-34-3. In 1960 were 7-2-1. The following season, the Bruins won the AAWU (now
Pac-10) championship and earned a berth in the Rose Bowl, losing to Minnesota, and finished with a 7-4 record.
Mr. Barnes played end for coach Bob Neyland from 1937-39.
He served as an assistant coach at Tennessee (1941) and later Arkansas (1946-49).
During World War II, Mr. Barnes served in the Army, earning the rank of major. He earned two Bronze Stars, a Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, a Philippine Ribbon and an Alamo Scout Commendation. Barnes was an original member of the Alamo Scouts, considered by many to be the first U.S. special forces.
Mr. Barnes is survived by his wife, Frances, whom he met while coaching at Arkansas.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 10
ajbake writes:
Wow. What a remarkable set of accomplishments and great American! RIP.
Voluvr writes:
This was a man. We are losing our greatest generation everyday. I bet he clotheslined a few Gerry's and Japs in his time too. This was one bad dude.
What a great legacy and heritage left for his family to be proud of.
Voluvr writes:
Oh my fault, did I say Gerry's? I meant Kraut's.
BigOrangeVol writes:
Hooah Major!!!
Actually the Silver Star is the 4th highest military decoration that is awarded for valor in the face of the enemy and heroism. The Medal of Honor is the greatest award that can be given followed by (for the Army) the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal. The Silver Star is next in order of precedence.
They don't hand these out like candy! Just to let some of you know what service is being honored:
The Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States not justifying a higher award. It may be awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces, distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism involving one of the following actions:
* In action against an enemy of the United States
* While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force
BSM
The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who meets specific qualifications:
* While serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy. The Bronze Star Medal is only awarded to service members in combat who are receiving imminent danger pay.
* For acts of heroism, performed under circumstances described above, which are of lesser degree than required for the award of the Silver Star.
* For meritorious achievement or meritorious service. The merit or acts of valor must be less than that required for the Legion of Merit but must nevertheless have been meritorious and accomplished with distinction.
LOM
When the Legion of Merit is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States it is awarded without reference to degree. The criteria are "for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements".
* The performance must have been such as to merit recognition of key individuals for service rendered in a clearly exceptional manner.
* Performance of duties normal to the grade, branch, specialty or assignment, and experience of an individual is not an adequate basis for this award.
* For service not related to actual war the term “key individual” applies to a narrower range of positions than in time of war and requires evidence of significant achievement.
leedsvol2007 writes:
Your explanation is greatly appreciated.
Tom Mattingly who seems to be the current Vol Historian might want to look into this gentleman and other Vols who served in WWII.
Reading the book Gridiron General you find that General Neyland made large contributions to the building of bases for US troops immediately prior to WWII, the Burma campaign, and to supply flow through the port of Calcutta at the war's conclusion.
I wonder how many other Vol players made contributions that have not been chronicled?
All of us living today in the US owe a big debt to men like Bill Barnes who preserved our country and came back and built a better America.
Our prayers go out to his family.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
To Mr. Mattingly the Vol historian...the Death of Bill Barnes I think is the last of the great Volunteer team that went unscored ,untied and undefeated during the magical 39 season. It was last college team to complete a season without giving up a single point. I recall talking to Len Coffman, the fullback on that team shortly before his death, and he said only two players from that famous team were still living..that included himself and one other, player, either Barnes or possibly Dick Mulloy, the famed world war #11 air force veteran. It appears they are all gone now. Gen Neyland called his 39 team " A precious Jewel" to himself and Vol fans...that should never be forgotten. For sentimental reasons...The radio DJ's played the top songs of the day and they were Glenn Miller's " Chattanooga Choo Choo and " Oh Johnny O ". The Oh Johnny song was especially popular with Volunteer fans, as Johnny Butler, a Vol tailback made one of the most spectacular touchdown runs in college football history as he criss-crossed the field three times to beat a great Alabama team. The Vols ranked the top team in the nation at that time, made it a most wonderful year for Vol fans.
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Siver Star is number three, not four. Distinguisheed Service Medals are not awarded for Heroism or Galantry in Combat. However it is a higher medal than the Silver Star in order of precendence overall.
mattingly writes:
Check out http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/matting...
oldsarge writes:
Order of Precedence for military medals
1. Medal of Honor
Often referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor or CMH. CMH can stand for coffin with metal handles, because you usually die winning it. Every award of the MOH in Iraq/Afghanistan has been posthumous.
2.
Army - Distinguished Service Cross
Air Force - Air Force Cross
Navy/Marine Corps - Navy Cross
3.
Silver Star
In 1941 Air Crews could win the Air Medal. It could be awarded for either gallantry below the Silver Star or meritorious service. The War Department created the Bronse Star as an equivalent. The Navy Department gave the medal the same status. To win the Bronse Star you must be in a combat zone.
According to Armyawards.com The Legion of Merit is below the Silver Stars in precedence, but it is awarded for meritorious service. You do not have to be in a combat zone. It can be awarded during peacetime. It can be awarded for a period of service.
Above the Silver Star in precedence are the Distinguished Service Medals. These are awarded for meritorious service. They are usually given to high ranking officers who lead successful campaigns.
General Neyland held what would be called today the J-4 (Supply and Logistics) position in the China-Burma theater of operations. If a soldier wore it, shot it, ate it, or drove it, General Neyland was responsible for getting it there.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Gen Bob Neyland was a great American...He not only was a great Army officer in the second World War, but he was also an adviser to the great American General " Venegar Joe Stillwell", head of the Allied forces in the Burma chinese sector that kept the Japanese Army tied down and slowed down and stopped the Japanese advancement by keeping the important road..THE BURMA ROAD open for Allied supplies to get through. Neyland was also an Aide to Gen Douglas MacArtur...and to Neyland, MacArthur was the greatest American general of all time...not even close.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.