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Al Sparlis

Guard

Inducted 1983

Date of Birth

5/20/1920

Birthplace

Los Angeles, CA

Schools

University of California, Los Angeles (1945-1945)

University of California, Los Angeles (1941-1942)

Bio

Early in his life, Al Sparlis spent two years in an orphanage. As a Los Angeles Poly High student, he worked at odd jobs to support himself while leading his class scholastically. He graduated in 1939, entered UCLA and played on the football squad in 1941 and 1942. World War II interrupted his career with the Uclans, but he returned in 1945 for one more season. Sparlis moved from the Coast Guard to the Air Corps and piloted B-25s on 70 China-Burma-India missions. His military career also included tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam with many decorations and citations, including a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal. In 1945, at UCLA, he was known as a fine blocker and an effective force on defense. He won Look magazine first-team All-America honors. He played pro football with the Green Bay Packers before rejoining the U.S. Air Force for Far East battle assignments. After his military career, Sparlis returned to civilian life as a businessman associated with Coldwell Banker.