Ensign, U.S. Navy
Outstanding Athlete and World War II Ace
Leo Arnold Bird, from Shreveport, Louisiana, was an outstanding high school athlete, earning letters in four sports (football, basketball, track and tennis) at Byrd High School. He entered LSU in 1938 prompting coaches, other athletes and the growing Tiger fan base to take serious notice of his phenomenal athletic ability. In the coming months and years, he would not disappoint.
Leo Bird was a triple threat for LSU football and the U.S. Navy. From 1939-41, Bird was the starting halfback for the Tigers. He led the team in passing for three seasons and had the record best season punting average (43.2 yards) that stood until 1989. Bird's best season at LSU was in 1939 when he helped starting end and future College Hall of Fame member, Ken Kavanaugh, earn All-America honors. That year, Bird threw a record three touchdown passes to Kavanaugh against Holy Cross. LSU also made history that day by becoming the first southern collegiate team to travel by airplane to a game. LSU coach Bernie Moore called Bird “the best passer and punter in the Southeastern Conference” after he set school records in both categories.
Bird’s LSU career record of 1,178 yards passing was broken a few years later by another LSU great and future National Football League Hall of Fame member, Y.A. Tittle. However, Bird set a record of three touchdown passes in one game that stood until Steve Ensminger broke it in 1977.
World War II finally stopped Bird and Kavanaugh (and guard Bill Edwards) as they joined a more important team in 1942. Bird took his skill and leadership to his new team in the U.S. Navy, flying the F-6F Hellcat with the VF-51 group from the carrier USS San Jacinto. It was with this unit that he became an “Ace.”
In September of 1944, he was on a mission in the Pacific escorting torpedo bombers that were attacking the Japanese. On his way back to the carrier, he saw a downed pilot floating below him and stayed in the area, circling over the site, even though he was low on fuel.
When the submarine USS Finback arrived and the pilot was pulled aboard, crewman and former LSU guard Bill Edwards asked the pilot what carrier he came from. “The San Jacinto,” the pilot replied. “Do you know Leo Bird?” Edwards asked. “I played football with him at LSU.” The pilot pointed to one of the Hellcats circling above the submarine and replied, “Yes, I know him, and he’s in that plane right there.” The downed pilot was George H. W. Bush, who survived that crash to become the 41st President of the United States and the father of 43rd president, George W. Bush.
Bird was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his bravery in combat. He passed away in 1996.