I’m amazed at the SEC legendary coaches that served in WWII.

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You’re amazed that Americans served during two major World Wars against clearly awful enemies? Why is that amazing?

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Imagine Jayden Daniels, Lane Kiffin, or timothee chalamet going to war now. We would be fricked

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Especially when there was a draft and you ...had to

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Kenneth England, a 6-1 guard from Campbellsburg, played for Kentucky during the 1941 and '42 seasons, scoring 154 total points in 41 games. He was a starter for the 1942 team that helped set the early standard for Kentucky as it won the SEC regular season title and the SEC Tournament before becoming the first UK team to reach the NCAA Tournament Final Four in the fourth year of the organization's existence.

Becoming a "first" continued for England as he held one of the most unique positions during World War II.

In the fall of 1943, less than two years after enlisting, Kenneth England was transferred to the Ski Troops at Camp Hale in Colorado and put in command of a company in the 10th Mountain Division, the only ski troop in America.

In December, 1944, his group was sent to Italy where Capt. England led the division in taking Mount Belvedere from the Nazis, a victory for which he won the Bronze Star.

Sadly, in the unit's final campaign in Italy, England died while crossing a mine field on April 14, 1945, five months before the war would end.

England was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. The accommodation reads: "Though his normal position was with the battalion commander, Capt. England risked his life to personally lead his men forward to insure close support of rifle companies.

"Although the area was heavily mined and under constant artillery, mortar and small arms fire, he pressed forward at the head of his unit until he was fatally wounded by an exploding mine. Without thought for himself, he directed that someone take the morphine syringes he carried to administer comfort to other of his men who were wounded. His gallant leadership and courage under fire, far beyond the call of his regular duties, will always be an inspiration to all who witnessed his heroic actions."

Italian citizens also recognized England's heroics, naming an athletic field in his honor, dedicating it in 1945.

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Not surprised. I’m just thinking about if that happened today you wouldn’t see these highly successful professionals signing up to fight. Just a different time.

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Six Alabama players were publicly sworn into the U.S. Marine Corps during halftime of the Crimson Tide's final home game on November 28, 1942.

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