The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-11-13

ferred opportunities to play profess Sional football and business aInbl- tions for Q course at the OfIicerS Training Camp, at Fort Logan IT. Roots, Little Rock, Ark. Tho fort was then commanded by Col. and later Lieutenant General Leo Bul- lard, a friend of long standing. Col. Rice was graduated third highest in the class of captains in 1917.
 While serving overseas as 0 ma. chine gun company commander In the 87th Division, Col, Rice engaged ir the sports activities which were to make his name known to thou- sands of doughboys of the World, War.
 Spotted" Tunney
 As Q former amateur heavyweight boxing champion of the south, Col, Rice had Q natural love for the ring which made him tho "Joe Jacobs of the A. F, F." He spotted Gene Tunney, ex-world heavy. weight champion, when the marine defeated one Of his own boys, Sergt, Howard Morrow, In Q bout held in Q balloon shed at Ramorantin, France. The colonel entered tho ring himself to fight Lieut.. Jack Phelan, one Of eX-heavyweight champion Jess WillArd's sparring partners, In An exhibition bout in one of the r. M, 0, A, huts behind the lines.
 If 1t hadn't been for the colonel's own form Of engineering the army'S famous Michael Dowd would have been an unheard Of ditch digger in the Corps of Engineers during tho World War instead of winner Of the middlewelght boxing crown at the Inter-Allied games in Paris.
 Tn addition to his promotion of boxing activities, the colonel umpir. cd many of the service mems foot. ball games and played Rn important role in track events and other ath. letic competitions,
 After the war he served as box. Ing instructor and athletic director at Camp Upton, N. Y. Here he con. tinued to work in behalf of the men in the ranks, He staged various eX- hibitlons which letted $80000 for the benefit of the men, Once when there was shortage Of seats for a sports event, ho w6ht in true Rice fashion to his friend the late Col, Jacob RuppeFt to get a loan of bleaehefs from Yankee Stadium
 While at Camp Upton, Col. Rice was instrumental in starting the first golf course to be constructed at an army post, To insure enlisted men an opportunity to participate lR the "gentlemen's sport" he se- cured 800 sets of golf clubs for their use.
 Against this background of mili- tary leadership and popularity, Col, Rice entered civilian life in the early lo2o's, He first vent to Chi. cago where he played professional football for two seasons.
 He then began his business career with the Scovill Manufacturing Company, Of Waterbury, Conn, makers os brass goods including shells and many other items for na- tlonal defense. Col. Rices expert. ence has included both sales promo- ton and production analysis. Ills work in the field of production has meant close relationship with the activities Of labor,
 Past Legion Commander
 The colonel resides with his wife and two sons In Woodbury, a small town located about 10 miles outside Waterbury. He is q past comman- der of Waterbury Post No. 1, Amer. lcan Legion, and is q past president Of the Connecticut Reserve Ofilcers' association.
 Col. Rice was called for tempo rary duty with the VT Army Corps during current war games in the Carolinas. His work with anti-tank units brings him in contact with O comparatively new branch of the United States armed forces and one which is vital in modern warfare. |,
 And so, the Carolina maneuvers designed to train soldiers may as. s.st in the training of Congress man, At least, that's what the old and new cronies of the tall, weather beaten colonel like to speculate on during rest periods at VI Army Corps field headquarters somewhere in Carolina.