# @auburnalumni on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CtJyZ-auRuW
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/10197325-auburnalumni-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/9d8620503f.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-06-06T14:51:54.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Auburn Alumni Association (@auburnalumni) — https://gondola.cc/auburnalumni

## Caption

🇺🇸 Before he became a legendary football coach for the Auburn Tigers, Capt. Ralph "Shug" Jordan '32 led men onto the Normandy shores on D-Day on June 6, 1944.

Jordan was injured in the D-Day invasions, taking shrapnel to his left arm and shoulder. Despite the fever and losing the use of his arm, Shug fought on, refusing to be evacuated to the hospital ship. Shug's men couldn't find him for some time but finally located him sitting behind a large rock on the beach. He was in incredible pain, but was found simply smoking a cigarette. When he returned to get treated for his wounds, the doctor recognized his southern drawl and only spoke of Auburn and Georgia football. 

Tucked inside Shug’s boot was a clipping of the January 1, 1944, Auburn Plainsman. It featured one of the first printings of The Auburn Creed, written by one of Jordan's mentors, George Petrie.

💜 Jordan received a Purple Heart and was awarded a Bronze Star for his heroic actions, his service and his sacrifice. 

Jordan also participated in the Okinawa landing, working closely with leaders to help plan the invasion. Jordan's participation in the invasion was ultimately canceled when the US dropped the atomic bombs on Japan. He claimed those events saved his life.

After his military service ended, Jordan didn't speak much about the war.  He never spoke about himself or his actions, but he did use those experiences to motivate his players. 

Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant said about Jordan, "He has more courage in his little finger than I've got in my entire body."

Coach Jordan was one of the first four Auburn Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award recipients in 2001. 

#dday | #auburnman | #fearlessandtrue | #aspiritthatisnotafraid | #hero | #WarEagle 🦅 

Credit: auburnuniforms

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## Tags

fearlessandtrue, auburnman, wareagle, hero, aspiritthatisnotafraid, dday

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