OneManGang
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Tennessee vs The Maxims vs Missouri
Battered Vol Syndrome is very real. It can cause even the most steadfast of Vol fans to throw up their hands at the slightest setback. We fans have seen it too often of late. The Vols come out like they could whip Green Bay and then, something happens and disaster is the result. It has happened in games and it has happened in seasons.
The cure is in. Coach Pruitt has, so it seems, infused his charges with a never give up mentality that shows in the way the team has played lately. They took the Mighty Integral, Alabama, to the wire and maybe that was the catalyst to forget what happened in the past and move forward. In any event Our Beloved Vols have now won four of the last five games and are favored in the upcoming tilt with "Andy." (Bonus points if you get the reference!)
We ain't there yet my friends, but By Heaven, we can see it from here.
* * * * * * * * *
In August 1939, a young man from Waco, Texas, went to Dallas and signed up for a six-year stint in the United States Navy. At the time the only jobs open to black sailors were either in the engine room or as a mess attendant working in the kitchens. Twenty-year old Doris Miller chose the latter. He told friends that he wanted to travel and earn some extra money for the family, the same reasons many a young lad has gone to sea throughout recorded history.
His unusual name came from the fact that the midwife who attended his birth had decided the baby was a girl before it ever appeared and even filled out the birth certificate with the name his mother had selected for a girl: Doris. The paperwork was never changed. And thus he remained.
After training and processing in San Francisco, "Dorie" Miller was assigned briefly to the ammunition ship USS Pyro and then in January 1940 to the most powerful battleship in the Pacific Fleet, the USS West Virginia. The "Wee Vee" boasted eight 16" guns, 5" broadside guns and a number of .50 caliber anti-aircraft machine guns. Dorie went to work in the galley and joined the ship's boxing program, eventually winning the Wee Vee's heavyweight title. In the summer of 1941, Dorie briefly transferred to the USS Nevada for extra training on secondary battery guns which resulted in a promotion when he returned. All-in-all Doris Miller's naval career was shaping up nicely.
Dawn on December 7, 1941, found the Wee Vee moored outboard of the USS Tennessee square in the middle of "Battleship Row" in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
As the Japanese planes swept in, torpedoes struck the West Virginia even as the General Alarm echoed through the ship. Dorie made his way to his battle station in the anti-aircraft battery magazine amidships only to discover that a torpedo hit had put him out of a job. He returned topside and helped carry wounded men to places of safety on deck. He was then sent to the bridge to aid the Captain who was mortally wounded. Finding he could do nothing to help and enraged at the Japanese planes still bombing and strafing his ship Miller went to a nearby .50 caliber machine gun and began firing back.
Miller had not trained on the .50 cal. but he later recalled, "It wasn't hard. I just pulled the trigger and she worked fine. I had watched the others with these guns. I guess I fired her for about fifteen minutes. I think I got one of those Jap planes. They were diving pretty close to us."
The West Virginia, ripped by bombs and torpedoes, settled into the mud of Pearl Harbor. She took 130 men with her. She would be refloated and sent Bremerton, Washington, where where she would be repaired and substantially modified. Doris Miller would not go with her.
For his exploits that day, "Dorie" Miller received the nation's second-highest award for valor, the Navy Cross. At the award ceremony, the medal was presented to Miller by no less a personage than Admiral Chester Nimitz, commander of the entire Pacific Fleet.
Miller was re-assigned to the cruiser USS Indianapolis where he served until the Spring of 1943 when he reported to the escort carrier USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56).
Liscome Bay was an escort carrier. These were basically Liberty- or Victory-class transports designed for fast cheap production with a flight deck nailed on. The CVEs did the drudge work of the war. They were convoy escorts, they hunted subs, they carried aircraft to forward bases, they also served to provide close air support to landing forces. They were slow, they were thin-skinned, Navy wags said CVE stood for “combustible, vulnerable and expendable,” and they were invaluable. Over 100 CVEs were built during WWII and a few served in the aircraft transport role during the Vietnam War.
The Liscome Bay was cruising near Butaritari Island on November 24, 1943, when she wandered into the sights of the Japanese submarine I-175 at 0510. The submarine fired a single torpedo which struck Liscome Bay near the stern directly under the magazine for the ship's sole 5" gun. The small carrier went up like a volcano and sank quickly. Only 272 of her 860 man crew were pulled from the sea.
Mess Attendant, 1st Class, Doris Miller of Waco, Texas, was not among them.
In a strange twist of fate, the USS Indianapolis fell victim to Japanese torpedoes after delivering the components for the first atomic bomb "Little Boy" to Tinian Island in August, 1945. Every warship Dorie Miller had served on was sunk by Japanese torpedoes.
On 30 June 1973, the United States Navy commissioned the USS Miller, a Knox-class frigate, in honor of Doris Miller.
Now you know why.
*********
So how did the team do compared to the Maxims?
1. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.
Tennessee had enough firepower to put the game away early but repeated mistakes kept the Tigers in the game. At one point #74 had more yards in penalties than Mizzou's offense had gained on the ground. However, none of those mistakes was fatal and Mizzou made its share as well.
2. Play for and make the breaks. When one comes your way … SCORE!
The Tigers essentially shut down the Vol running game. That put the game on the shoulders of Guaratano and the receivers. Result: Guarantano and the rest lit up Mizzou for over 400 yards passing yards and 500 yards in total offense. Wow. Just wow.
That being said, I think it's past time to either let Jennings throw from the “wildcat” formation or retire the thing. As it is, opponents can simply put ten or twelve (lol) guys in the box and shut him down.
3. If at first the game – or the breaks – go against you, don’t let up … PUT ON MORE STEAM!
The story of Jarrett Guarantano in the 2019 season is the living embodiment of this Maxim. The game Saturday was his vindication.
The biggest difference in this writer's mind is that, in a complete shift from previous seasons, there has been no fade this year. After a disastrous start to the campaign, Our Beloved Vols have shown improvement in each consecutive game since Florida. Before the season, most Vol fans said, “I just want to see improvement.” I believe that wish has been granted.
4. Protect our kickers, our quarterback, our lead and our ballgame.
Allowing two field goals to be bocked violated this Maxim in its essence. George Cafego could be heard growling in the distance,
5. Ball! Oskie! Cover, block, cut and slice, pursue and gang tackle … THIS IS THE WINNING EDGE.
Holding any opponent, let alone an SEC one, to 281 yards of total offense is an achievement. Well done! And what about the defense? The offense has improved beyond measure since September but the guys on the other side of the ball are not even recognizable. A well deserved tip of the hat to Warrior, Bituli, To'o To'o and rest. The General smiles.
6. Press the kicking game. Here is where the breaks are made.
Vol fans from Ducktown to Dyersburg were left scratching their heads and wondering just what in hell has happened to Tennessee's kicking game? TWO blocked field goals? 35 yards per punt? Great Day ...
7. Carry the fight to Missouri and keep it there for sixty minutes.
They shouldn't have had to, but they did anyway. When thinking of all the adversity they went through in the early part of the season and to see where the team is today …
Now, who the hell has been slicing onions in my study?
Gawd, I'm proud of them and proud to be a Tennessee Vol.
Now, boys, go out there come Saturday and beat the snot of the Common Whores and let's end this season with no let up for the first time in a loooonnnggg time!
MAXOMG
© 2019 Keeping Your Stories Alive
Suggested Reading:
Gordon W. Prange, At Dawn We Slept: The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor
S.E. Smith, The United States Navy in World War II
William T. Y'blood, Little Giants: U.S. Escort Carriers Against Japan
Mess Attendant 3rd Class Doris Miller receives the Navy Cross from Admiral Nimitz. (US Navy)
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