Memorial Day is an opportunity to reflect on the brave people that made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States. The selflessness and courage needed to fight for our country's freedom shouldn't be taken for granted. This appreciation is often evident in sports – the MLB has special uniforms made for the holiday, and playing the national anthem and honoring veterans during games are moments that can bring a tear to the eye. In honor of Memorial Day, here are a few famous athletes that put their country first, sacrificing to serve in the U.S. military.
Ted Williams
Ted Williams is a baseball legend, best known for his excellence at the plate – in 1941, Williams posted a .406 batting average, arguably the most impressive single season feat ever.
With the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States was drawn into WWII. Williams voluntarily enlisted in the Navy reserve as an aviator in late 1942. Never seeing active combat, the Red Sox star was discharged in December 1945.
Williams returned to baseball in 1946 and continued to swing a hot bat as he ended the season with a .342 batting average. It would be seven years before Williams served again, this time in the Korean War. In February 1953 Williams was in Korea as a member of the first Marine Air Wing. This time he saw combat, flying a total of 39 combat missions and losing part of his hearing as a result.
Some of Williams military accomplishments include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the American and Asian pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory and National Defense Service Medals.
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson excelled in sports at UCLA, as he became the first athlete to earn varsity letters in four sports. He was named an All-American in football as the star running back for UCLA. In 1942 Robinson was drafted into the Army.
Before breaking the color barrier in baseball, Robinson was a 2nd Lt. in the Army. While he never saw combat in WWII, Robinson fought to gain equal rights for black soldiers. In what is now Fort Hood, Robinson served as a lieutenant of the 761st Tank Battalion known as the Black Panthers. Robinson complained about limited post exchange for black soldiers when he refused to sit in the back of a bus on July 6, 1944. Robinson would be court-martialed for the incident. His discharge took effect in November of that same year. The 761st Tank Battalion later encountered severe battle conditions and suffered heavy casualties in Europe.
