Alex Wizbicki
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| Position: | DB/HB | ||||||||
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| Born: | October 6, 1921 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | ||||||||
| Died: | December 3, 2018 (aged 97) Superior, Wisconsin, U.S. | ||||||||
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| College: | Holy Cross | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1945 / round: 18 / pick: 178 | ||||||||
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Alexander John Wizbicki (October 6, 1921 – December 3, 2018) was an American football defensive back and halfback in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the National Football League (NFL). Born in Brooklyn, New York, he played for the AAFC's Buffalo Bills (1946–1949) and the NFL's Green Bay Packers (1950).[1] Wizbicki played collegiately for Holy Cross College and Dartmouth College before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 18th round of the 1945 NFL draft. He played for 4 seasons professionally in the NFL and retired in 1950.[2]
He was also a World War II veteran, having served in the US Marine Corps.[3] During his freshman year in college the Second World War broke out and Wizbicki joined the Marine Corps. He had basic training in South Carolina then went on to have more training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. After this he was sent to Guam to train for further operations. He was assigned to a reconnaissance company with the mission of gathering information behind enemy lines on Japanese troop placement. He and his reconnaissance company were awarded the Bronze Star several years later for gallantry in action during a patrol mission. Wizbicki saw most of his combat during the invasion of Okinawa. This was the last combat he saw, as the plans to invade Japan were scrapped after nuclear bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and Japan surrendered. After the war, Wizbicki received the Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal and Bronze Star Medal, however lost them while moving.[4] In 2013, he was given replacement medals.[4] He died in Superior, Wisconsin on 3 December 2018 at the age of 97.[4]
When asked how his service affected his life he said, "I appreciate things more than I ever did. Up to the point prior to going into induction, I had everything but I took it for granted, I didn't realize how lucky a person can be. It gave me more incentive to follow up some thoughts of doing better, and I did that and I enjoyed a good life, I wouldn't change it."[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "Packers.com - Alex Wizbicki". Packers.com. Retrieved January 2, 2009. [dead link]
- ^ "Alex Wizbicki Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 4, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
- ^ "After 68 years, former Packer and veteran to get war medals". August 7, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
- ^ a b c Cliff Christl (December 7, 2018). "Oldest living Packers player died this week". Packers.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "Richard I Bong Veterans Historical Center | The Best Museum in Duluth, MN. and Superior, WI". bongcenter.org. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
External links
[edit]- Nelson, Wayne (October 22, 2008). "Alex Wizbicki tells the tale of life and a good wine". businessnorth.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2009. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
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- 1921 births
- 2018 deaths
- Players of American football from Brooklyn
- Players of American football from New York (state)
- Military personnel from New York City
- Holy Cross Crusaders football players
- Dartmouth Big Green football players
- Buffalo Bills (AAFC) players
- Green Bay Packers players
- United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II
- 20th-century American sportsmen
- American football running back, 1920s birth stubs
- American football defensive back, 1920s birth stubs