Clifford Earl “Monty” Montgomery, a World War II hero and 1963 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, died Thursday in New York. Born on September 17, 1910, he was 94 years old.
A celebrated quarterback at Columbia for three years, Montgomery led the Lions to a 7-0 victory in the 1934 Rose Bowl over the heavily favored Stanford Cardinal. In a game regarded as one of the greatest sports upsets of the 20th Century, Montgomery earned Most Valuable Player honors. In his three varsity seasons, Montgomery guided Columbia to a 22-3-2 record.
Following his collegiate career, Montgomery played in the inaugural college all-star game, leading his squad to a 0-0 tie against the NFL Champion Chicago Bears. He went on to play one season of professional football as a tailback with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Montgomery’s football resume established a record only surpassed by his military accomplishments. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and earning the Silver Star for his participation in the invasion of Okinawa on April 6, 1945.
According to the then-Secretary of the Navy, Montgomery, while serving as the commander of a group of support ships, brought his flagship alongside a burning destroyer, pulling more than 400 men to safety.
Following his military duty, Montgomery became a highly respected college football official. He officiated five Army-Navy games in a career that spanned more than 25 years.
Montgomery came to Columbia in 1930, the same year Hall of Fame Coach Lou Little arrived on campus. Little’s single-wing offense made Montgomery a jack-of-all-trades. He was asked to run, pass, kick and pitch the ball on any given play or down.
Columbia’s 1934 team was honored as its “Team of the Century” at halftime of the Homecoming game against Dartmouth on October 21, 2000.
Montgomery most recently lived in Roslyn Heights, New York. He is survived by his wife Nancy Hoyne Montgomery, son Clifford, sister Gladys Rounco and two grandchildren, Tyler and Katherine.
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