Hall of Fame War Veterans

[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!

[EddieP]

Christy Mathewson, Ty Cobb, and Pete Alexander.

[Yoda]

Hank Bauer had quite a war record. Nobody messed with Hank, except at the Copa.

[David W]

https://baseballhall.org/discover-mo...-fame-veterans

Also Tom Seaver was in the Marines from 1962-1969, but I believe all were spent in the USA.

Long shot Hall of Fame candidate Thurman Munson was also a veteran during the Vietnam war era

[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]

Check out Chevrons and Diamonds on Facebook.

[67Rally]

Originally Posted by Vintagedeputy

Check out Chevrons and Diamonds on Facebook.

This is a great thread. While we collect baseball militaria in general, I specifically enjoy discovering artifacts from ball players who were combat veterans, regardless of their Hall of Fame status.

The collection focuses entirely upon artifacts that we then use to shed light on the service of these men (and women) who touched the game of baseball whether they served in frontline units, support roles or in morale-boosting activities. Being a veteran myself, I understand that the soldier, airman, sailor and marine standing in harm's way couldn't possibly do their job without the thousands in the rear ensuring that equipment and supplies are available.

The Hall of Famers who served effectively carry the torch for those who have otherwise been forgotten - meaning that without Feller, Spahn, Enos Slaughter, and DiMaggio, most would have forgotten about Cecil Travis, Eddie Waitkus, Ewell Blackwell, Bill Evans, Don Kolloway, and Clarence Maddern.

[jingram058]

2 other guys to look up - Wayne Terwilliger and Morris Martin. I leave it you to look them up. Edit - they aren't in the HOF, but their WW2 service, wow!

[67Rally]

Originally Posted by jingram058

2 other guys to look up - Wayne Terwilliger and Morris Martin. I leave it you to look them up.

Yessir, very familiar with both. I worked with Anne Keene on her piece about Twig a few years ago. And yes, Morrie's story is truly one that exemplifies personal sacrifice in service.

As an aside, we have a glove from a 5th Army staff sergeant (956 Combat Engineers) who carried it through Operation Torch and into the Italian campaigns. He kept a log of his service on the inside of the wrist strap.

[egri]

Originally Posted by jingram058

2 other guys to look up - Wayne Terwilliger and Morris Martin. I leave it you to look them up. Edit - they aren't in the HOF, but their WW2 service, wow!

Another one, Jocko Thompson, was a paratrooper who received the Silver Star in Holland for capturing a bridge across the Maas River. The Dutch later renamed the bridge in his honor. He served with the 504th PIR in the 82nd Airborne; I haven't been able to find out when he joined the regiment, but he went into the Army in 1941, so it is possible he was with them during their earlier jumps in Sicily and Italy.