Hall of Fame War Veterans

KYcollector · #1 03-17-2023, 07:51 PM

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.

Quote:

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 · #2 03-17-2023, 08:18 PM

Quote:

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 · #3 03-17-2023, 09:42 PM

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 · #4 03-17-2023, 10:16 PM

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

BobC · #5 03-17-2023, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

Do not disagree at all Frank. If you look online for the USS Alabama's WW II activities and involvement, it was involved in both the European and Asian theaters of war. And their involvement was extremely significant and included many major battles. Unfortunately for those naval personnel, like Feller, they don't get the same opportunities for individual heroics and recognition that front line combat troops can often get, but their efforts and heroics are no less important to the overall war effort put forth by all military personnel directly involved in any type of battle or action. I imagine Feller was involved in most all the activity the USS Alabama had during the war.

ZachS · #6 03-17-2023, 10:21 PM

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

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