Jan. 26, 2001
“At a time in their lives when their days and nights should have been filled with innocent adventure, love, and the lessons of the workaday world, they were fighting in the most primitive conditions possible across the bloodied landscape of France, Belgium, Italy, Austria, and the coral islands of the Pacific. They answered the call to save the world from the two most powerful and ruthless military machines ever assembled, instruments of conquest in the hands of fascist maniacs.
They faced great odds and a late start, but they did not protest. They succeeded on every front. They won the war, they saved the world. They came home to joyous and short-lived celebrations and immediately began the task of rebuilding their lives and the world they wanted. They married in record numbers and gave birth to another distinctive generation, the Baby Boomers. A grateful nation made it possible for more of them to attend college than any society had ever educated, anywhere. They gave the world new science, literature, art, industry, and economic strength unparalleled in the long curve of history. As they now reach the twilight of their adventurous and productive lives, they remain, for the most part, exceptionally modest. They have so many stories to tell, stories that in many cases they have never told before, because in a deep sense they didn’t think that what they were doing was that special, because everyone else was doing it too.”
— Tom Brokaw author of The Greatest Generation
By Phil Batson
Herman and Sue Rayle Smith can appreciate the sacrifices made by what Tom Brokaw calls The Greatest Generation. For one thing, they were there and a part of what happened in the early 1940s. For another, some they knew made the ultimate sacrifice.
Because of their appreciation, the Smiths have created an IPTAY Endowment “to recognize and honor all WWII veterans who coached and participated in competitive sports at Clemson.”
“We are not rich by any means, but the good Lord has been good to us,” said Herman recently during a dinner at the IPTAY offices. “We are enjoying our life because of the sacrifices they made.”
Originally from Conover, NC and now residing in Greensboro, Herman was one of five children in his family. Smith and two brothers served in WWII. His oldest brother served in Okinawa and another in Italy.
“My parents had a pretty hard time with three sons in the war,” Smith said.
After the war, Smith came to Clemson and got his degree in 1950. One of his roommates at Clemson was a veteran of The Battle Of The Bulge. Another was a pilot shot down over Germany and had been a prisoner of war.
Herman and Sue Rayle have been married 44 years. “He brought me to Clemson on our honeymoon,” she said. Originally from a rural area outside Greensboro, Sue Rayle “had never even heard of Clemson.” Now she is a proud paw-wearing supporter.
Herman is retired after more than 35 years with Burlington Industries. Sue Rayle is a retired nurse.
IPTAY’s Endowment program started in 1994 with the 85th birthday of Frank Howard. “This Endowment is unique because it honors so many different people,” said IPTAY Executive Director George Bennett.
Among those speaking at the dinner was Walter Cox, who played football for the Tigers (1935-39), saw action in combat during WWII in the Pacific and returned to become a University coach and President.
“On Feb. 8 in 1942 when I reported for duty at Ft. McClellan in Alabama, it was like a Clemson reunion,” said Cox. “There must have been 1,500 second lieutenants from Clemson called to duty that day.”
While in Guadal Canal, Cox learned that his father had died suddenly at the age of 45. Two weeks later, he was told of his first son’s birth.
It was not uncommon to meet fellow Clemson men during the war, said Cox.
“I’ll never forget riding in jeep on Guadal Canal. Another jeep passed us on the trail. It was Julius “Pop” Eadin from Manning, SC. We almost kissed each other just to see someone from Clemson.
“On another occasion, I was in New Zealand in a cafe drinking some fresh milk when I heard a voice behind me I thought I recognized. I turned and it was a group of Marines. With them was fellow I had taught boxing while at Clemson.”
Cox expressed his gratitude for the Smith’s gift to Clemson. “They are truly making a difference with their gift.”
Sue Rayle said Cox’s speech at the dinner “fit the bill”.
Also attending the dinner were friends from Greensboro and the Smith’s football tail-gating friends. “We hope in some small way our Endowment helps somebody in the future,” said Sue Rayle.
The Smith Endowment serves as another point in Tom Brokaw’s assertion that it not only was, but continues to be the greatest generation.
April 23, 2024
