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Honors
Previously located at Camp Cooke, California, the 44th Division was
relocated to Fort Lewis, Washington in November of 1952.
During the buildup of forces for the Korean War, Fort Lewis found
themselves with a full roster of former college football stars to choose
from. Former All-American Les Richter led the 1953 squad to a
"Co-Northwest Title" by tying the Seattle Ramblers and defeating the
upstart Vancouver Cubs, a feeder team for the CFL B.C. Lions. Fort
Lewis lost a one-point game to Seattle on a safety early on, however the
Ramblers lost to the Cubs by one point.
The outcomes were less in doubt during the 1954 season as the 4x4s led by
Bob Cook downed the Ramblers in three games to win the Queen City Bowl
with a 7-3 record.
With the close of the Korean War, players returned to their normal lives
and the 4x4s vs Ramblers rivalry ended until being revived by the
47th Infantry in 1958.
Key Players:
OL/LB/PK Les Richter (Univ of California) played for
the Los Angeles Rams from 1954-1961, earning 8 pro bowls and induction
into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
FB Leo Plourde ran 16 times for 127 yards and a
score against the
Seattle Ramblers on Oct 25, 1953. Plourde again gashed the
Ramblers with a 75-yard scoring romp on Nov 27, the only score for the
4x4s in a 6-6 tie.
Lt. Robert S Cook (Oklahoma A&M) led the 4x4s to
the Queen City Bowl title over Seattle. He would be portrayed in
the movie Pork Chop Hill.
C- Harry Riley (Northwestern All-Big 10)
T - Len Deutscher (Michigan State)
G- Jim Vella (Modesto JC)
E- Les Hogan (Whitworth)
RB- Tommy Bice (NW Oklahoma St.)
RB- Talmadge Vick (Tennessee A&I)
FB- Jerry Zaleski (Colorado A&M)
RB- Roy Garland (Compton JC)
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