Hall of Fame War Veterans

[KYcollector]

Very cool stories. I’ll check those out . I’m going to add the executives too , just been focusing on the others first but Bill Veeck just jumped up the list.

[Casey2296]

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Eddie Grant

Grant was one of the first men to enlist when the United States entered World War I in April 1917, and he served as a captain in the 77th Division. During the fierce battle of the Meuse–Argonne offensive, all of Grant's superior officers were killed or wounded, and he took command of his troops on a four-day search for the "Lost Battalion." During the search, an exploding shell killed Grant on October 5, 1918. He was the first Major League Baseball player killed in action in World War I. He was buried at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in Lorraine, France.

Grant was one of eight Major League Baseball players known either to have been killed or died from illness while serving in the armed forces during World War I.
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[jingram058]

If you're talking combat action, not just entertaining the troops by playing ball (big effing deal), just Google up Bob Feller and Warren Spahn. And he's not in the HOF (totally stupid that he's not) but should be if it is truly going to be a hall of fame, Cecil Travis.

[BobC]

Feller should be at the top of your list. My understanding is that he was the first professional athlete to go and voluntarily enlist right after Pearl Harbor. Also, he actually served as a Naval CPO/gun captain aboard the USS Alabama, and took part in many historic WW II naval battles. He didn't just stay off the battlefield or behind the front lines, playing exhibition baseball games to entertain troops. Also, Feller lost virtually four seasons to the war, making it back to appear in only 9 games in 1945 right as the war ended.

Meanwhile, comments about Ted Williams possibly being the most well-known/famous of all MLB veterans, probably due a lot to his having served during both WW II and the Korean War, are most likely true, but maybe a bit misguided. Williams did not run right out and enlist, like many other MLB players did. And my understanding is his military service was due to being drafted, and even then he sought to get out of serving and appealed to have his classification changed from 1-A to 3-A. He ended up joining the Naval Reserve in May, 1942, until finally being called up to active duty in 1943. And because Williams had originally entered the Naval Reserve instead of just going into active service when drafted during WW II, he was still on the Naval Reserve list when the Korean War started, and got called up to active duty again. Word is he was "livid" about being called up a second time, but had to pay the price and serve again due to his actions in trying to defer, if not get out of serving entirely, during WW II.

And by the way, on December 9, 1941, when Feller enlisted, his father was terminally ill at that time so he was actually exempt from military service because of that. But he voluntarily decided to enlist right then anyway. Just a little factual background for those of you that may put Williams way up above others on that hero list for his military service.

[scotgreb]

Not a HOFer but gets mentioned a lot in this context . . .

Travis, Cecil 1937 OPC136 PSA 7 25956364.jpg

[KYcollector]

Awesome information, thank you . I missed out on a 52 Topps Feller that was autographed with the inscription WWII Vet - Navy. I’m kicking myself for it . From my understanding he was the only Chief Petty Officer as well. Definitely on the lookout for a Feller.

Originally Posted by BobC

Feller should be at the top of your list. My understanding is that he was the first professional athlete to go and voluntarily enlist right after Pearl Harbor. Also, he actually served as a Naval CPO/gun captain aboard the USS Alabama, and took part in many historic WW II naval battles. He didn't just stay off the battlefield or behind the front lines, playing exhibition baseball games to entertain troops. Also, Feller lost virtually four seasons to the war, making it back to appear in only 9 games in 1945 right as the war ended.

Meanwhile, comments about Ted Williams possibly being the most well-known/famous of all MLB veterans, probably due a lot to his having served during both WW II and the Korean War, are most likely true, but maybe a bit misguided. Williams did not run right out and enlist, like many other MLB players did. And my understanding is his military service was due to being drafted, and even then he sought to get out of serving and appealed to have his classification changed from 1-A to 3-A. He ended up joining the Naval Reserve in May, 1942, until finally being called up to active duty in 1943. And because Williams had originally entered the Naval Reserve instead of just going into active service when drafted during WW II, he was still on the Naval Reserve list when the Korean War started, and got called up to active duty again. Word is he was "livid" about being called up a second time, but had to pay the price and serve again due to his actions in trying to defer, if not get out of serving entirely, during WW II.

And by the way, on December 9, 1941, when Feller enlisted, his father was terminally ill at that time so he was actually exempt from military service because of that. But he voluntarily decided to enlist right then anyway. Just a little factual background for those of you that may put Williams way up above others on that hero list for his military service.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by KYcollector

Awesome information, thank you . I missed out on a 52 Topps Feller that was autographed with the inscription WWII Vet - Navy. I’m kicking myself for it . From my understanding he was the only Chief Petty Officer as well. Definitely on the lookout for a Feller.

Don't know about him being the only CPO, but definitely a cool fact if true. And as mentioned by others, Warren Spahn and Cecil Travis both deserve high praise and respect as well.

Regarding more factoids about Williams, I believe he was using the fact he was supporting his mother as the basis for appealing his draft status and deferring his service, and specifically why I mentioned Feller's father was terminally ill, yet he made the exact opposite decision that Williams did. And William's draft board status and actions did not go unnoticed. He had very negative public backlash at the time for his actions, and IIRC, he was dropped by Quaker Oats who had been sponsoring him up till that time as a result. And in retaliation, Williams supposedly never purchased/consumed any Quaker Oats products the rest of his life.

Also, although Williams batted .406 in 1941, he still lost the MVP that year to DiMaggio and his 56 game hitting streak. Williams came back and put up his first Triple Crown season in 1942, but again lost the MVP award, this time to Joe Gordon. There was much speculation, including such by Williams himself, that that year's MVP was stolen from him due to the negative reaction to his draft board antics.

[KYcollector]

This is great info. I’m very new to this area , can you recommend a source / book where to learn more information such as this?

[FrankWakefield]

I applaud Feller's service in the Navy. But Warren Spahn, was a war hero. Not for serving, which seems the modern standard; but instead, for his actions in actual combat, on multiple occasions. I saw Spahn pitch about 20 years after World War II, I was a kid and barely knew anything about his baseball records. I had no idea that he'd been in WW II, that he'd fought in WW II. Years later, after I read a bit of his military record, I thought this man has done enough; he has nothing to prove on the baseball field after a Purple Heart and Bronze Star, after fighting in The Battle of the Bulge and at Ludendorff Bridge (think that movie about the bridge at Remagen).


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Spahn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3pVuXHiaD8

[ZachS]

Joe and Dom... I also have an original WWII photo of Feller that he signed (and Feller was a CPO).

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by BobC

Feller should be at the top of your list. My understanding is that he was the first professional athlete to go and voluntarily enlist right after Pearl Harbor. Also, he actually served as a Naval CPO/gun captain aboard the USS Alabama, and took part in many historic WW II naval battles. He didn't just stay off the battlefield or behind the front lines, playing exhibition baseball games to entertain troops. Also, Feller lost virtually four seasons to the war, making it back to appear in only 9 games in 1945 right as the war ended.

Meanwhile, comments about Ted Williams possibly being the most well-known/famous of all MLB veterans, probably due a lot to his having served during both WW II and the Korean War, are most likely true, but maybe a bit misguided. Williams did not run right out and enlist, like many other MLB players did. And my understanding is his military service was due to being drafted, and even then he sought to get out of serving and appealed to have his classification changed from 1-A to 3-A. He ended up joining the Naval Reserve in May, 1942, until finally being called up to active duty in 1943. And because Williams had originally entered the Naval Reserve instead of just going into active service when drafted during WW II, he was still on the Naval Reserve list when the Korean War started, and got called up to active duty again. Word is he was "livid" about being called up a second time, but had to pay the price and serve again due to his actions in trying to defer, if not get out of serving entirely, during WW II.

And by the way, on December 9, 1941, when Feller enlisted, his father was terminally ill at that time so he was actually exempt from military service because of that. But he voluntarily decided to enlist right then anyway. Just a little factual background for those of you that may put Williams way up above others on that hero list for his military service.

Feller is one of my all-time favorites. I visited the USS Alabama in Mobile a few years ago. They have his rack in CPO berthing kept as it was when he was aboard. He came out with the MCI (Verizon now) Ambassadors of Baseball tour in the 1991-92 timeframe while I was serving on USS Independence. Feller, Johnny Vander Meer, Graig Nettles, Bert Campenaris, and Rick Waite. I met, shook hands with, and talked to Bob Feller and Johnny Vander Meer. Two of the nicest guys I ever talked to. I talked to Bob Feller for at least 10 minutes. He gave me an autographed baseball card. Johnny Vander Meer, another hero of mine, gave me an autographed post card.

[jingram058]

Here's another one. Larry Berra, better known as Yogi. Everyone knows his funny quotes. 10 WS rings as a player, more than anyone, all-time. But look up what he did as a Gunner's Mate in the Navy on D-Day.

Edit:these are guys you can look up to. Seems like everyone today is carrying some sort of sordid skeleton in the closet. I'm 65 years old. In the Navy and out, I've seen and done it all. I don't look up to anyone anymore, except my dad, who is the finest man I ever knew (and not because he was my dad, he just was). My mom too. I'm telling you, I look up to these guys

[GeoPoto]

"Check him out - a "Wild and Crazy" guy!"

This photo captures Veeck in a particularly good mood as he hands out free drinks at the first game after he became owner of the St. Louis Browns.

https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1679141197

[gonefishin]

Warren Spahn - the greatest, and winningest, left handed pitcher of all time! How about a twice autographed Scorecard from his 300th win game!

[BobC]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Feller is one of my all-time favorites. I visited the USS Alabama in Mobile a few years ago. They have his rack in CPO berthing kept as it was when he was aboard. He came out with the MCI (Verizon now) Ambassadors of Baseball tour in the 1991-92 timeframe while I was serving on USS Independence. Feller, Johnny Vander Meer, Graig Nettles, Bert Campenaris, and Rick Waite. I met, shook hands with, and talked to Bob Feller and Johnny Vander Meer. Two of the nicest guys I ever talked to. I talked to Bob Feller for at least 10 minutes. He gave me an autographed baseball card. Johnny Vander Meer, another hero of mine, gave me an autographed post card.

Yup, they don't make people like that anymore. There is a reason their generation is often called the greatest generation ever.

[jingram058]

And to the credit of Joe DiMaggio: he formally requested to be assigned to a combat unit, but was denied by Army brass, as "It would be bad for morale if something happened to him." Joe felt it was bad to be behind the lines, sitting comfortably while so much was going on.

[Vintagedeputy]

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