Skip to main content

Roy Long

Roy Long, born on August 7, 1922, in Blair, Nebraska, endured the challenges of the Great Depression while growing up on a farm. Recruited by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s football coach, he joined ROTC and became an outstanding quarterback, setting a national record of 55 attempts in one game, standing until 2004. Drafted into the army in 1942, Long served as Second Lieutenant in the 71st Division. Long faced the unforgiving realities of the European Theater of Operations, enduring harsh living conditions, encountering mines that took the lives of his comrades, and witnessing the horrors of the Gunskirchen Lager concentration camp in Wels, Austria. Post-war, Long served as a guard during the Nuremberg War Trials, witnessing top Nazi officials such as Hermann Göring, Rudolf Hess, and Alfred Yodl testify. Later in his life, Long dedicated himself to educating young students about the reality of war, offering a unique first-hand account. Roy Long’s legacy represents compassion and empathy in the face of tremendous adversity. He hoped future generations would look to the past and learn that we all share responsibility in preventing crimes against humanity. Hear Roy's testimony in his own words.


39 items

1941 Cornhusker Yearbook

  • Date: 1941
  • Format: yearbook

Gridiron Candidates Engaged in Varied Summer Activity

  • Date: September 16, 1941
  • Format: newspaper

1942 Cornhusker Yearbook: Phi Gamma Delta

  • Date: 1942
  • Format: yearbook

Army and Navy Battle in Grid Clash

  • Date: March 24, 1942
  • Format: newspaper

Roy Long Shifted To Spot Ahead of Disabled Bradley

  • Date: November 4, 1942
  • Format: newspaper

Blair's Own Roy Long

  • Date: November 13, 1942
  • Format: newspaper

1943 Cornhusker Yearbook

  • Date: 1943
  • Format: yearbook

Party Line

  • Date: March 10, 1943
  • Format: newspaper

Select New Cadet Heads For ROTC's

  • Date: May 13, 1943
  • Format: newspaper

Roy Long in Austria

  • Date: May 1945

Roy Long in Football Uniform

  • Date: October 1945

Former Husker R. Long Plays On ETO Team

  • Date: October 26, 1945
  • Format: newspaper

Nebraska Varsity Swamps Nubbins

  • Date: September 22, 1946
  • Format: newspaper

Long, Zikmund, Eisenhart Spark UN To Kansas Win

  • Date: September 22, 1946
  • Format: newspaper

Nebraska Squad Set for Gophers

  • Date: September 27, 1946
  • Format: newspaper

Scarlet Team Awaits Barrage of Passes

  • Date: October 23, 1946
  • Format: newspaper

Cornhuskers Seek Loop Victory Against Missouri

  • Date: November 1, 1946
  • Format: newspaper

1947 Cornhusker Yearbook: Huskers 7 Hoosiers 27

  • Date: 1947
  • Format: yearbook

1947 Cornhusker Yearbook: Graduating "N" Men

  • Date: 1947
  • Format: yearbook

Roy Long Library of Congress Interview (2006)

  • Date: November 17, 2006
  • Format: testimony
  • Source: Veterans History Project, Library of Congress

Roy Long Library of Congress Interview (2009)

  • Date: July 20, 2009
  • Format: testimony
  • Source: Veterans History Project, Library of Congress

Roy Long, Joy Long and grandaughter, June 2013

  • Date: June 17, 2013
  • Format: photograph

August 2017 Commencement Program

  • Date: August 12, 2017
  • Format: document

Roy Long Honorary Degree, August 12, 2017

  • Date: August 12, 2017
  • Format: testimony

Roy Long at Commencement

  • Date: August 12, 2017

Roy Long Family at Commencement

  • Date: August 12, 2017
  • Format: photograph

Roy Long at Commencement

  • Date: August 12, 2017

Roy Long at Commencement

  • Date: August 12, 2017
  • Format: photograph

Interview with Family and Friends of Roy Long

  • Date: July 26, 2023
  • Format: testimony

71st Infantry Division Map

Roy Long with Soldiers

SS Explorer

Roy Long in Austria

71st Rolls Across Rhine

Timeline

  • Format: timeline

ETO and Return

  • Format: book

Injured Huskers Leave Today

  • Date: November 11, 1942
  • Format: newspaper

Roy Long in Army Uniform

  • Format: photograph

Roy Long in Football Uniform

⟰