Dan Magill ‘42 ABJ, one of the UGA’s favorite and most colorful characters, is a proud member of America’s Greatest Generation.
Magill, widely known and respected former Sports Information Director, Associate Athletic Director, and Tennis Coach, headed the effort to establish the Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame and is responsible for its being located in Athens. In 1983 the facility was built at the UGA Tennis Center where he presently serves as curator.
The amiable coach founded the Georgia Bulldog Clubs throughout the state and in other major cities in the Southeast and has authored two books, “BULL-DOGGERAL,” about colorful players and coaches at the University, and “MATCH-POINTERS,” which includes stories about famous tennis players and offers tips for young tennis players.
A third book which chronicles his experiences in the U.S. Marines during World War II is scheduled to be released this fall. This will be filled with anecdotes beginning with boot camp at Paris Island, S.C., including officer training at Quantico, Va. and other bases in North Carolina, and his service in the South Pacific and preparations for landing on Japan. The book will also document incidents with active and retired Marines after World War II.
Magill headed up a special project to honor former UGA athletes who made the ultimate sacrifice that resulted in the beautiful memorial that stands between the Rankin Smith Student Athlete Achievement Center and the Stegeman Coliseum.
Eight UGA football players were killed in World War II. Magill honored these members of the Greatest Generation in an article published in 2001. They included Homer Passmore, Tommy Witt, Walter “Chief” Ruark, Will Burt, James Skipworth, Howard “Smiley” Johnson, Winfred Goodman and Winston Hodgson.
Magill wrote, “Army pilot Lt. Tommy Witt, the center on Coach Wallace Butts first Georgia team in 1939 who also had played for Butts at Male High School in Louisville, Ky. died in October, 1942 during the North African invasion. While flying his B-25 on a bombing mission, he was shot down and died from wounds received when he attempted to land his plane.”
“On Nov. 22, 1944, Master Sgt. Walter “Chief” Ruark, a native of Bostwick in Morgan County and All-SEC guard on Georgia’s Rose Bowl team of 1942, was leading a five-man patrol of the U.S. Ninth Division, which was advancing on a German sniper position in a stone house on the River Roer, when a rifle shot pierced his chest. He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously – the second highest honor America can bestow on a fighting man.”
“In October 1944 Army pilot Lt. Homer Passmore of Valdosta and center blocking back at Georgia in 1940, was shot down over France while piloting his B-17 several weeks after the Normandy landing.”
“At the same time, Army Bombardier Lt. Will Burt of Macon, a star guard on Georgia’s Orange Bowl champions of 1941 was shot down by German aircraft over Italy.”
“On January 17, 1945, Captain James Skipworth, Jr., a native of Columbus and Georgia football captain in 1940, was killed while leading his troops in MacArthur’s triumphant return to the Philippines. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry.”
“One week later on January 24, Army Captain Winfred Goodman of Atlanta, a starting guard at Georgia in 1940 and 1941, was reported missing in action after leading his Fourth Emergency Air/Sea Rescue Squadron during the re-capture of the Philippines.”
“Four weeks later, Feb. 19, 1945, Marine 1st Lt. Howard “Smiley” Johnson of Clarkesville, TN, and alternate captain at Georgia in 1939, was killed by exploding shell fragments in the landing on Iwo Jimo. He was awarded a second Silver Star, having first earned one in the capture of Saipan in hand-to-hand combat with the Japanese.”
“In June 1945, on Okinawa in the last battle of World War II, Marine 2nd Lt. Winston Hodgson of Athens, a running mate of “Smiley” Johnson at Georgia in 1939, was killed while leading his platoon up a mountainside against entrenched Japanese in a cave. He tossed a hand grenade into the cave, not knowing it held the largest ammunition supply of the Japanese. The explosion blew off the top of the mountain and Hodgson died from the concussion. His brave deed significantly hastened the end of the war.”
With all his many contributions to Athens and the University, Dan Magill is particularly proud of his efforts to raise the beautiful memorial that honors these Bulldog athletes. They were his classmates and all part of what has been called “America’s Greatest Generation.”
