Maurice Lee "Footsie" Britt (June 29, 1919 – November 26, 1995) was an American military officer, businessman, and politician. He is best known for his extraordinary combat record during World War II, in which he became the first American soldier to receive the four highest U.S. Army combat decorations for valor. He also played professional football for the Detroit Lions and later served as the 11th lieutenant governor of Arkansas.
Early Life and Education
Britt was born in Carlisle, Arkansas, in Lonoke County, the son of Maurice Lee and Virgie Britt. His family later moved to nearby Lonoke. He earned the nickname "Footsie" after winning a pair of shoes at a local fair as an adolescent, owing to his size-thirteen feet. He graduated as valedictorian of Lonoke High School in 1937 and attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville on an athletic scholarship in both football and basketball. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and an Army Reserve commission as a second lieutenant of infantry through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps upon graduation in 1941.
Professional Football
Britt was selected in the 13th round (115th overall pick) of the 1941 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. As a 6'4" end, he played in nine games during the 1941 season, scoring one touchdown on a 45-yard passing play. His football career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II.
World War II Service
Britt entered active duty in December 1941 and was assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. He participated in multiple major campaigns, including the invasion of North Africa (Operation Torch), the invasion of Sicily, the invasion of Italy (Operation Avalanche), and the Anzio landings (Operation Shingle).
His most notable act of valor occurred on November 10, 1943, north of Mignano, Italy, when he led a small group of men in repelling a counterattack by approximately 100 German soldiers. Despite suffering multiple wounds—including a bullet through his side and grenade wounds to his chest, face, and hands—he personally killed five Germans, destroyed an enemy machine gun crew, and threw 32 fragmentation grenades. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the British Military Cross, and the Italian Medal of Military Valor, along with a battlefield promotion to captain.
At Anzio in January 1944, Britt deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire to locate German gun positions, an action for which he received the Distinguished Service Cross. His combat service ended when a German tank shell struck his command post, blowing off his right arm at the elbow, fracturing a leg, and perforating his back in 47 places. He was evacuated to the United States for medical treatment and received an honorable discharge on December 27, 1944.
Britt became the first recipient of the top four combat decorations for valor awarded to an infantryman by the U.S. Army during World War II: the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, and Bronze Star Medal with "V" device.
Political Career
After the war, Britt briefly attended the University of Arkansas School of Law before entering business. He spent twenty years working at a furniture manufacturing company and later ran the Beautyguard Manufacturing Company, a producer of aluminum building products.
In 1966, he was elected lieutenant governor of Arkansas, serving under Governor Winthrop Rockefeller from 1967 to 1971. He was re-elected in 1968. Rockefeller and Britt were the first Republicans to hold the state's top two offices since Reconstruction. After leaving office, Britt was appointed by the Nixon administration as district director of the Small Business Administration, serving from 1971 to 1985.
Later Life and Death
In 1986, Britt sought the Republican gubernatorial nomination but was defeated in the primary by former Governor Frank D. White. He was also active in civic affairs, serving as state chairman of the Crippled Children's Hospital and Easter Seals.
Britt died of heart failure on November 26, 1995, at the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was one of two lieutenant governors in state history to lie in state in the State Capitol Rotunda. He was buried in Little Rock National Cemetery.
Awards and Honors
Britt's military decorations include the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal with Valor device, Purple Heart with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal, British Military Cross, and Italian Medal of Military Valor. He was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1972. The Captain Maurice L. Britt United States Army Reserve Center in North Little Rock, Arkansas, is named in his honor.
