Harlan Gustafson

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Harlan Gustafson
Personal information
Born:December 29, 1917
Joliet, Illinois
Died:April 18, 1984 (aged 66)
Los Angeles, California
Career information
College:Penn
Position:End
Career history
Career highlights and awards

Harlan Iver Gustafson (December 29, 1917 – April 18, 1984) was an American football player.

Gustafson was born in Joliet, Illinois, and attended the University of Pennsylvania. He played college football for the Penn Quakers football team and was selected by the International News Service as a first-team end on the 1939 College Football All-America Team.[1] He also played baseball for Penn in 1940, compiling a .402 batting average.[2]

Gustafson played professional football in the American Football League for the New York Yankees during the 1940 season and was selected by the league's coaches as a first-team end on the 1940 All-League team.[3]

Gustafson joined the Naval Reserve in Philadelphia in March 1941. He began active duty in the United States Navy in December 1941 and served as a Navy pilot through October 1945.[4] He was rescued after making a forced landing in the Pacific Ocean in early 1944.[5]

Gustafson died in 1984 in Los Angeles, California, at age 66.[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "INS Announces All-America Choices: Gustafson, Penn End, on First Team". Reading Eagle. November 24, 1939.
  2. ^ "Gustafson, Penn Captain, Is High Batsman in E. I. League". Harvard Crimson. June 3, 1940.
  3. ^ Gill, Bob (1983). "The Best of the Rest, Part 2" (PDF). The Coffin Corner. 5 (12). Professional Football Researchers Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
  4. ^ Application for World War II Compensation filed by Harlan Iver Gustafson, born December 29, 1917, at Joliet, Illinois. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Veteran Compensation Applications, WWII, 1950 [database on-line].
  5. ^ Cal Hubbard (February 26, 1944). "Sports Stew – Served Hot". The Pittsburgh Press.
  6. ^ Death record for Harlan I Gustafson, born 29 Dec 1917, Illinois, died 18 Apr 1984, Los Angeles. Ancestry.com. California, Death Index, 1940–1997 [database on-line].