Veteran Hall of Famers (P-W)
In honor of Veterans Day, 11 November, I have compiled a list of Hall of Famers who served in the military. We are familiar with the accomplishments these men achieved in their baseball uniform. Let’s pay tribute to their victories in a different uniform. Military service is not easy for anyone. Many of these Hall of Famers did not volunteer but did answer when the nation called. In the eleventh month, we praise these fine Americans for their sacrifice and service.
This is the conclusion of the list of Hall of Famers who served in the Armed Forces. Some did more than others but one cannot compare service time. Servicemen time and responsibilities are not under the individual’s control. As a veteran myself, I have the experienced the uncertainly lifestyle and travelled the world in moments notice. The sense of duty and honor never seems to fade. Thank you for marching down this foul line and discovering these hidden accomplishments of these fine Americans.
Herbert Pennock — Herb played baseball for the Navy during World War I.
https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/pennock-herb
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/herb-pennock/
Pee Wee Reese — Reese was in the Navy during World War II. He was assigned to the Seabees, Construction Battalion, in the Pacific Theatre.
https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/reese-pee-wee
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/pee-wee-reese/
Sam Rice — Rice joined the Navy in 1913. His ship, USS New Hampshire, was mainly stationed at a port in Cuba, where he played a lot of baseball. Political climate changed between the US and Mexico after US- supported Mexican President Francisco Madero was assassinated. President Wilson sent several Naval ships, to include the New Hampshire, to halt the radical uprising in Vero Cruz, Mexico.
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/sam-rice/
Branch Rickey — During World War I, Rickey was a commissioned Major and was assigned to the Army Chemical Corps, with fellow ball players Ty Cobb and Christy Mathewson.
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/branch-rickey/
Eppa Rixey — Not much is found pertaining to Rixey’s military service other than he missed the entire 1918 season due to being in Europe with the US Army’s Chemical Warfare Division.
https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/rixey-eppa
Phil Rizzuto — Rizzuto began his military service playing ball for the Navy. In 1944 Rizzuto was sent out to New Guinea as a gunner. Malaria and chronic seasickness reassigned him to organize sports programs in Australia and the Philippines.
https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/rizzuto-phil
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/phil-rizzuto/
Jackie Robinson — Before Robinson played a single game, he was an activist for civil rights. He was arrested for refusing to move to the back of a segregated bus when he was in the Army. He was eventually acquitted of the charges and received an honorable discharge.
https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/robinson-jackie
Bullet Rogan — Before his days being known as “Bullet” for his throwing arm, Rogan joined the Army in 1911. From 1911 to 1914, Rogan was part of the famous all-black 24th Infantry; better known as the Buffalo Soldiers. He deployed to The Philippines. After reenlisting, he was transferred to the 25th Infantry, another Buffalo Soldier unit. Rogan mainly played baseball during his time in the Army.
https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/rogan-bullet
Red Ruffing — Ruffing served in a noncombat role in 1943 and 1944. He played baseball out in the Pacific with other major leaguers and some teammates like Joe DiMaggio.
https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/ruffing-red
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/red-ruffing/
Louis Santop — Santop was called up to the Navy to support World War One. He was held the position of Fireman, 2nd Class.
https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/santop-louis
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/louis-santop/
Al Schoendienst — Better known as Red, Schoendienst entered the Army in 1944. He never made it to Europe or the Pacific. His first duty station was at Camp Blading in Florida. At his second location, Pine Camp, he guarded Italian prisoners of war. In addition, he aided with the construction several baseball fields on surrounding military installations. Eventually Red received a medical discharge from injuring his shoulder while playing baseball for the Army.
https://www.baseballinwartime.com/player_biographies/schoendeinst_red.htm
Joe Sewell — Not much was recovered about Sewell’s military career other than he was in the Army during the World War I era.
https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2017/05/how_many_baseball_hall_of_fame.htm
George Sisler — Pitcher turned first baseman Sisler served in the Army during the first World War.
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/george-sisler/
https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2017/05/how_many_baseball_hall_of_fame.html
Enos Slaughter — Slaughter was part of the Air Corp branch of the Army before it broke away and became the Air Force during World War II. He failed the vision test to become a pilot and declined a bombardier position. Slaughter was named the unit’s physical education sergeant. During his final year of enlistment, 1945, Slaughter was sent to the Pacific to join other major league players to play exhibition games.
https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/slaughter-enos
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/enos-slaughter/
Duke Snider — Snider was assigned to the submarine USS Sperry in Guam. His service time was 18-months long. He saw no combat and played a lot of baseball.
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/duke-snider/
https://www.baseballinwartime.com/player_biographies/snider_duke.htm
Warren Spahn — Spahn’s call to arms interrupted his rookie season with the Braves. Unlike his baseball counterparts, Spahn saw combat. Spahn was involved in two pivotal moments in World War II: Battle of the Bulge and the taking the bridge at Remagen. After his four years in the Army, Spahn received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained at the Battle of the Bulge, a field commission, and a Bronze Star.
https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/spahn-warren
Warren Spahn — Society for American Baseball Research (sabr.org)
Tris Speaker — Speaker was in the Army during World War I.
https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2017/05/how_many_baseball_hall_of_fame.html
Casey Stengel — Before the Old Professor’s player and manager career began, Stengel joined the Navy in 1918. His duties included managing the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s baseball team.
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/casey-stengel/
https://caseystengel.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/caseys-life.pdf
Bill Veek — Veeck had a colorful career as a baseball executive prior to World War II. He joined the Marines in 1943 and was on a Pacific Island of Bougainville. Recoil of an anti-aircraft gun shattered his right leg. Veeck spent the rest of the war recovering but doctors could not save his leg.
https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/veeck-bill
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bill-veeck/
Ted Williams — Williams joined the Navy in 1942. His baseball star status kept him stateside as instructor pilot. In 1952, at age of 34, Williams was not so lucky and was recalled by the Marines. Williams missed the ’52 and ’53 season. He flew 39 combat missions in Korea. His aircraft received ground fire on his third flight and caused a crash landing which he walked away from with no injuries. In addition, Williams flew as a wing man for future astronaut John Glenn.
https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/williams-ted
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/ted-williams/
Jud Wilson — Wilson joined the Army in 1918. He served as a corporal in Company D 417 Service Battalion during World War I. He had the distinct honor to be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.
https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/wilson-jud
https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/jud-wilson/
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/ejwilson.htm
Early Wynn — Wynn joined the Army in 1943. He held the rank of private in a Tank Corp stationed in the Philippines.
