Floyd B. Schwartzwalder

College football coach. He was a center and 1933 captain of the football team at West Virginia University. He served in the Army in World War II. As a captain in the 82nd Airborne (CO of Company G of the 507th), Schwartzwalder earned distinction during the invasion of Normandy and battles that followed in the last days of the war. He played key roles in the capture of the La Fière Causeway and Sainte-Mère-Église, crucial points of entry into France during the D-Day invasion. By the time the 507th reached the battle for Hill 95, they had suffered more than 65% casualties. Schwartzwalder continued his campaign all the way into Germany and acted as military governor of the town of Essen for a period of six months. He was awarded a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, four battle stars, Presidential Unit Citation and was promoted to the rank of Major for his actions during the invasion. When he was personally decorated by General Matthew Ridgway, the General said "Ben, I never expected to see you here to receive this award." After the war, he began his college coaching career at Muhlenberg College from 1946 to 1948. He was named head coach at Syracuse in 1949 where he compile a 153-91-3 record in 24 years as head coach. He was national coach of the year in 1959 when Syracuse was national champions. He was inducted into the National College Football Hall of Fame in 1982. He coached Heisman Trophy winner, Ernie Davis; both of whom were portrayed in the major movie, "The Express,"starring Dennis Quaid as Coach Schwartzwalder.