Young Glover
1930 At age 7 Glover knew we wanted to be a football coach
William Hudson Glover was born May 2 1923 to Milton Glover and Nancy Jean HesterGlover of Moundville Ala. The seventh of twelve children, Will knew at the age of seven he wanted to be a football coach. Older brother Wallace played football in high School and Will played with older brothers James and Dan. The football used was a pig’s bladder. These brothers were tough competition for young Will Glover. Glover wouldcompete to win at every level in life.
Hard work was something Will knew about. At age 6 he was behind a mule plowing the fields at the Glover farm in Moundville Al. Times were hard back then. “Everyone was poor”. School athletics gave Will a chance to prove himself. He attended Hale County High school from 1937-1942 and made all state tailback last two years. He attributes much to his coach T.A. Windham.
Will was 18 years old when he enlisted into the US Navy. On December 18 1942 Will left for San Diego boot camp for 12 weeks of training. The captain of the base ask Will to take a test for either a B-5 or B-12 program to go to school and play football. If he scored 80 or above he would go into the program. Will was hesitate as he wanted to play for Alabama but this would be a deferment from fighting. Will chose not to go into the program.
In June 1942 Will boarded the transport ship Kincaid to New Caledonia. On Guadalcanal Will would train with the 3rd Marine Raiders and the 6 Marine Raiders from Australia and New Zealand; it was there the formation was made to get to Treasure Island. He was a landing craft operator in three South Pacific invasion including Bougainville and Guam
After getting over seas Will got word his father died July 14 1943. He recalled the last conversation they had at the train station when his father told him he’d never see him again.
Will spend 27 months in the South Pacific.
We recognize Will’s contribution serving in WWII and those who served in WWII Navy Thank-you Will and all other Vets. Our Nation Honors You. While launching this site on Memorial Day Will stated he would like to go back to those Islands again. In 2010 Will Glover will be 87 years old. I would like to see this wish a reality for him.
