About Charlie Behan
Lived 1920 – 1945 (aged 24). Charlie Behan was an American military officer and american football player.
Charles Edward Behan (August 4, 1920 – May 18, 1945) was an American professional football player. He was an end for one season for the Detroit Lions.
Football career Behan caught 4 passes for 63 yards in 1942, his only year with the Lions.
Behan enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces in 1942 and served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Prior to his overseas deployment, he played for the football team at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. In late 1944, when Behan was fighting with the newly reformed Sixth Marine Division on the island of Guadalcanal, he played in a hard-hitting "touch" football game on Christmas Eve between teams representing the 4th and 29th Regiments. Behan was the 29th Marines' player-coach and team captain in what the roster sheets passed out that day labeled "The Football Classic." The game ended in a scoreless tie.
Behan was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
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Important facts
Related people
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Charlie Behan?
American football player (1920-1945)
When was Charlie Behan born?
Charlie Behan was born on 4 August 1920 in Crystal Lake.
When did Charlie Behan die?
Charlie Behan died on 18 May 1945 in Okinawa Prefecture.
What was Charlie Behan's occupation?
Charlie Behan was a military officer and american football player.
What nationality was Charlie Behan?
Charlie Behan was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Charlie Behan. https://biography.guide/charlie-behan-military-officer/
MLA: "Charlie Behan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/charlie-behan-military-officer/.
Chicago: "Charlie Behan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/charlie-behan-military-officer/.
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