(02-07-2025, 02:06 PM)terry Wrote: (02-07-2025, 01:20 PM)Mick Wrote: Dodgers Hall of Famer served 19 months. His main job was washing dishes. Who was he?
Jackie Robinson?
Good guess. Jackie was drafted, then became part of the 761st Black Panthers tank unit. Duke Snider was a dishwasher on the USS Sperry. He only loaded a shell once, when he was on watch duty, and a few seconds before he would have had to fire the other ship identified as friendly.
(02-07-2025, 01:29 PM)BobK Wrote: First to enlist or serve one or the other in WW 2. Hank Greenberg
Greenberg was the first to register for the draft, on October 16, 1940 and first to be inducted on May 7, 1941. He was originally 4F, with flat feet. He requested to be reexamined and he was in. He was discharged on December 5 because he was over the age of 28. Two days later, Japan hit Pearl Harbor. Greenberg re-enlisted as a sargeant on February 1, 1942 and returned to MLB on July 1, 1945. Between his two tours, he spent 47 months in the Navy and Army Air Corps.
Bob Feller was the first pro to enlist after Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, FDR declared war on Dec. 8, Feller enlisted on Dec. 9. He was a gun captain on the USS Alabama.
(02-07-2025, 01:20 PM)Mick Wrote: Some American athletes had well-publicized military careers; e.g. Ted Williams who flew in both WWII and Korea, Jesse Ventura, Pat Tillman and Roger Staubach.
Here's a few trivia questions on other pro athletes in the military:
Answers to the rest in red...
Who was the first American professional athlete to enlist in the military in WWII and who was the first to register for the draft in WWII? Two different players, the latter serving 47 months, longer than any other pro athlete.
This Hall of Famer enlisted in the Army in WWI at the age of 37 serving in the Chemical Corps. He died at a very young age due to exposure to mustard gas. Who was he?
Giant pitcher Christy Mathewson
A very famous professional athlete was criticized for not serving in WWI (he tried to enlist but was turned down because he was the sole financial support for his family). Undeterred, he served in the Coast Guard in WWII. Who was he?
Jack Dempsey
This famous athlete actually began his career in the Army in 1943, then turned pro after WWII. Who was he?
Rocky Marciano
Three of golf's all-time greats: one was in the Marines for four years, one was an Army intelligence officer, one enlisted in the Coast Guard. Who were they?
Lee Trevino, Bobby Jones and Arnold Palmer, respectively.
This NBA Hall of Famer served in the Navy as a Civil Engineer for two years. Who was he?
David Robinson
This three-time Cy Young winner served in the Marines for a year before he went to college (not during wartime). Who was he?
Tom Seaver
Dodgers Hall of Famer served 19 months. His main job was washing dishes. Who was he?