Hall of Fame War Veterans

[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.

[67Rally]

Originally Posted by egri

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.

Researching WWII Army veterans takes a concerted effort. Have you checked into morning reports, yet? Many organizations are slowly digitizing and OCRing these invaluable documents. One of my colleagues has been diligently pursuing documenting the 29th Division and subordinate units' histories in search of all the ballplayers who landed onto the Blues and Grays squad that was a series away from the GI World Series, having lost to the 71st Div. Red Circlers.

Speaking of airborne units and baseball, we acquired a 1945 jersey from the 502nd PIR, 101st A/B a few months ago.