George A. Percy

George Almy Percy (May 2, 1895 – January 10, 1970) was an American ice hockey player and United States Marine Corps officer who played for the Harvard and Boston Athletic Association ice hockey teams and was a recipient of the Navy Cross for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Early life Percy was born on May 2, 1895, in Arlington, Massachusetts to David Thomas and Maude (Almy) Percy. Percy attended Arlington High School and Phillips Exeter Academy. In 1915, he won a strength competition against his fellow Crimson athletes, which resulted being nicknamed the "Harvard Hercules". Percy also played for the Harvard Crimson baseball team. He was elected captain of the hockey team for the 1917–18 season, but the team was suspended for the year due to World War I.

World War I On June 1, 1917, Percy took a special examination to qualify for a commission in the United States Marine Corps. On July 16, he passed the physical examination and was enrolled with the temporary rank of second lieutenant. He received his permanent rank on July 29. He was stationed at Marine Corps Base Quantico until November 1917, when he was moved to Fort Sill, where he was a reconnaissance officer with the field artillery. In May 1918, he returned to Harvard as a recruiting officer.

Amateur hockey

Percy played for the Harvard Club during the 1919–20 season. The team folded after the season and Percy and three of his teammates signed with the Boston Athletic Association. Percy played for the B.A.A. from 1920 to 1922 and served as captain of the 1920–21 Boston Athletic Association hockey team. From 1922 to 1924, Percy played right wing for the Boston Hockey Club.

Personal life On June 22, 1918, Percy married Hallie Elkins Davis, the granddaughter of former United States Senator Henry G. Davis and a Washington D.C. socialite he met while stationed at Quantico.

On April 14, 1930, Percy married Elvia Enders, a stage actress who played Madge Ferris in Little Accident, after knowing each other for six weeks. They had two sons. In 1938, Percy leased an 11-room suite at 1040 Park Avenue in New York City. He later moved to 200 East 66th Street.

Percy's final marriage was to Margaret Beauchamp. They had one son. Percy left the Marines with the rank of Lieutenant colonel. He then served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve until 1958, retiring with the rank of Colonel.

Percy died on January 10, 1970, at Brunswick Hospital in Amityville, New York.