Jasper Jack Kraynick (September 2, 1914 – c. October 31, 1943) was an American football back who played for the North Carolina Tar Heels. He later was selected in the 1939 NFL draft, but did not play professionally.
 Kraynick, c. 1943 | |
| North Carolina Tar Heels | |
|---|---|
| Position | Back |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | September 2, 1914 Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died: | c. October 31, 1943 (aged 29) |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College | North Carolina (1935–1938) |
| High school | Trenton Central (NJ) Staunton Military (VA) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1941–1943 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards |  Air Medal Oak leaf cluster |
Early life and education
editKraynick was born on September 2, 1914, in Trenton, New Jersey. He attended Trenton Central High School and Staunton Military Academy in Virginia, graduating in 1935. Afterwards he joined the University of North Carolina, and spent his first year on the freshman football team.[1] He was on their varsity roster in 1936, but did not appear in any games.
Professional career
editHe earned his first varsity playing time in 1937, earning a letter and playing fullback. Following his senior season of 1938, Kraynick was selected in the 12th round (104th overall) of the 1939 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, but opted not to play professionally.[2][1] Instead, he taught at Belmont High School and served as athletics director. He resigned in 1941 to join the United States Army Air Forces in World War II.[3][4]
Military career
editHe entered on February 15, 1941, and was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from flying school at Maxwell Field. He was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant on February 1, 1942, and was given the Air Medal and an oak leaf cluster in September 1943.[5] He went missing on October 30, 1943, after his plane flying over the Caribbean Sea did not return.[6][7] He was not found and presumed to have died.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Jack Kraynick Stats". Pro Football Archives.
- ^ "1939 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ "Kraynick Joins Flying Cadets". The Charlotte Observer. January 27, 1941 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Jack Kraynick Missing After Routine Patrol". The News and Observer. November 22, 1943 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gastonia Airman Given Decoration For Patrol Duty". The Charlotte Observer. September 30, 1943 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Noted Football Player Listed Among Missing". The Charlotte Observer. November 13, 1943 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lt. Kraynick Is Missing". The Charlotte News. November 13, 1943 – via Newspapers.com.
