Maurice Lee Britt (June 29,
1919 – November 26, 1995) was an American
professional football player, war hero, businessman,
and politician. He played for the Detroit Lions, was
awarded the Medal of Honor, and later served as the
Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas.
Born in Carlisle, Arkansas, but grew up in nearby Lonoke. He went to the University of Arkansas where he was supported by an athletic scholarship. He graduated in 1941 and played football with the Lions during the 1941 season. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, in World War II, he entered the U.S. Army in December 1941. In February 1944, he was fighting in Italy. During a fierce battle with German soldiers, he was seriously injured. He managed to repel the Germans, but he lost his right arm. He was awarded the Congressional Medal Of Honor for his actions repelling a German attack near Mignano, Italy on October 10, 1943. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star, making him the first recipient of the top three combat decorations in a single war. [1]
After the war, he briefly attended the University of Arkansas Law School, but left to enter business. He spent twenty years in business in Arkansas working at a furniture manufacturing company and then running the Beautyguard Manufacturing Company, producing aluminum building products.
In 1966, he was elected to the office of lieutenant governor of Arkansas. [2] He was re-elected in 1968. After leaving office, he was appointed the district director of the Small Business Administration
Born in Carlisle, Arkansas, but grew up in nearby Lonoke. He went to the University of Arkansas where he was supported by an athletic scholarship. He graduated in 1941 and played football with the Lions during the 1941 season. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, in World War II, he entered the U.S. Army in December 1941. In February 1944, he was fighting in Italy. During a fierce battle with German soldiers, he was seriously injured. He managed to repel the Germans, but he lost his right arm. He was awarded the Congressional Medal Of Honor for his actions repelling a German attack near Mignano, Italy on October 10, 1943. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star, making him the first recipient of the top three combat decorations in a single war. [1]
After the war, he briefly attended the University of Arkansas Law School, but left to enter business. He spent twenty years in business in Arkansas working at a furniture manufacturing company and then running the Beautyguard Manufacturing Company, producing aluminum building products.
In 1966, he was elected to the office of lieutenant governor of Arkansas. [2] He was re-elected in 1968. After leaving office, he was appointed the district director of the Small Business Administration
