19 Facts About Young Bussey

Ruey Young Bussey was a professional American football quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League.

An all-star during his only season in the NFL, Bussey was killed in action during World War II.

Young Bussey was the only Bears player to die in the war.

Ruey Young Bussey was born in Timpson, Texas, the youngest of Katherine Lee "Katie" Bussey and Thomas Wade "Tom" Bussey's 13 children.

When Katie became the head of the household, Young Bussey worked to help to support the family by delivering milk, waking up at 3:00 AM to walk his delivery route.

Young Bussey excelled at sports, such as football, baseball, boxing, wrestling, swimming, diving, water polo, track and his favorite, basketball.

Young Bussey played football at LSU on a scholarship arranged by Senator Huey Long.

Young Bussey was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 20th round of the 1940 NFL draft.

Young Bussey finally made the Bears' squad in 1941, as Luckman's backup.

Actual records fail to define just how prolific Young Bussey was from the standpoint of points per minute of play.

Young Bussey appeared in 10 games during the 1941 regular season, completing 13 of 40 passes for 353 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Young Bussey tallied two interceptions while playing defense, as well as one 40-yard punt return.

Young Bussey briefly attended the Bears' training camp in the summer of 1942, but Halas was committed to starting Luckman at quarterback.

Young Bussey did so the very next day, joining the Naval Reserve.

Young Bussey received a commendation from Admiral Raymond A Spruance, commander of the US Fifth Fleet, for his actions as an assistant beachmaster during the Battle of Guam in 1944.

Young Bussey saw action at Kwajalein, Peleliu, Leyte, and Luzon, participating in a total of 10 amphibious assaults.

Young Bussey was then named Warren's head beachmaster for the upcoming Invasion of Lingayen Gulf.

True to his prediction, Young Bussey was killed on January 7,1945, when his landing craft took a direct hit from a Japanese mortar after getting stuck on a coral reef 75 yards from the beach.

Young Bussey was last seen signalling his men with his right arm to take cover.