Athletes Who Served Their Country In The Military
It’s rare to see a top-level athlete with military experience, because both careers — athletics and the military — tend to require so much commitment and dedication that excelling in one would seemingly preclude success in the other.
Despite this, a good number of elite athletes have also served in the armed forces. While this was relatively common during the World War II era, it’s something that’s continued in the decades since.
Pat Tillman (NFL, U.S. Army)
Pat Tillman is a true Arizona legend, having excelled as a safety for both the Arizona State Sun Devils in college before turning pro with the Arizona Cardinals. Tillman turned down a promising NFL career — and a $3.6 million contract — to enlist in the U.S. Army following the 9/11 attacks.
Tillman served as an Army Ranger and completed a tour in Iraq before he was deployed to Afghanistan. Sadly, a controversial 2004 friendly fire incident claimed his life. Today, Tillman lives on through his foundation, which provides scholarships to military veterans and their families.
Jackie Robinson (MLB, U.S. Army)
While Jackie Robinson will always be best remembered for breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier, this was just one chapter of his life. Robinson was also a four-sport athlete at UCLA and served in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant during World War II.
Robinson was actually court-martialled during his Army days for refusing to move to the back of a segregated bus (he was ultimately acquitted). After the war, Robinson joined the Negro Leagues, then the Montreal Royals, and finally the Brooklyn Dodgers.
David Robinson (NBA, U.S. Navy)
Towering NBA center David Robinson was known as “the Admiral” — a fitting nickname given the fact that Robinson had attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where he’d led the Midshipmen to the NCAA Elite Eight in 1986, winning individual accolades along the way.
The Spurs drafted Robinson first overall in 1987, but he deferred his NBA debut by two years to fulfill an active duty service requirement. He was a civil engineering officer and rose to the rank of lieutenant junior grade.
Joe Louis (Boxing, U.S. Army)
One of the most dominant boxers of all time, Joe Louis held the heavyweight title for an incredible 12 years, making 25 successful title defenses along the way.
During this period, Robinson enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II to serve primarily in a morale-boosting role. This entailed participating in over 100 exhibition bouts for troops stationed around the world.
Bob Feller (MLB, U.S. Navy)
Pitcher Bob Feller found MLB success at a young age, and had already achieved superstar status when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy the day after the Pearl Harbor attack at the age of 23.
Feller served as a gun captain aboard the USS Alabama, participating in multiple combat missions in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters and earning six campaign ribbons and eight battle stars along the way. He missed nearly four full seasons during his prime, but still put up Hall of Fame numbers.
Roger Staubach (NFL, U.S. Navy)
Roger Staubach excelled as a quarterback for the Navy Midshipmen in the early ’60s, winning the Heisman Trophy as the nation’s best collegiate player in 1963. He served four years in the Navy, including one in Vietnam as a supply officer, and finally entered the NFL in 1969 at the age of 27.
Staubach made an immediate impact with the Dallas Cowboys, earning the nicknames “Roger the Dodger” and “Captain America” en route to six Pro Bowl nods.
Willie Mays (MLB, U.S. Army)
Willie Mays, whose combination of power hitting, speed, and defence made him one of the best all-around baseball players ever, also served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
After making his MLB debut in 1951, he was drafted in 1952 and spent nearly two years stationed at Fort Eustis, Virginia. While he played on Army teams, he wouldn’t return to Major League Baseball until 1954 — the same season that his New York Giants won the World Series.
Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias (Various sports, Women’s Army Corps)
Babe Didrikson Zaharias was one of the best all-around athletes of all time, winning three medals at the 1932 Olympics in track and field before going on to win 10 LPGA majors in the world of women’s golf.
During World War II, she contributed to the war effort by serving in the Women’s Army Corps. This was a promotional role, one aimed at boosting morale and encouraging potential recruits through exhibitions and athletic feats.
Ted Williams (MLB, U.S. Navy & Marine Corps)
Regarded by many as the best hitter to ever play baseball, Ted Williams had a decorated military career that actually put his career on hold on two different occasions. Williams trained as a pilot during World War II and later served as an aviator and flight instructor for the Marine Corps.
In 1952, Williams was recalled for the Korean War, flying 39 combat missions — including some alongside future astronaut John Glenn. In all, Williams missed nearly five prime seasons due to his military service.
Yogi Berra (MLB, U.S. Navy)
Colorful catcher Yogi Berra was a fixture of the dominant Yankees teams of the ’40s and ’50s, a time period in which he won three MVP awards. Before his time with the Yankees, an 18-year-old Berra enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943.
During his time in the Navy, Berra was trained as a gunner’s mate and took part in the D-Day invasion at Normandy, where he was in charge of a rocket boat the gave cover for landing forces. It added a heroic layer to a player who’s often remembered more for his comedic sensibilities.
Rocky Bleier (NFL, U.S. Army)
Rocky Bleier carved out a reputation as a tough and reliable running back for the dynastic Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s — but his career was almost over before it even got started.
In 1969, a year after the Steelers drafted him, Bleier was drafted into the U.S. Army and deployed to Vietnam. While there, his platoon was ambushed and Bleier suffered severe gunshot and grenade injuries to his legs and feet. He was able to defy the odds, recover, and go on to become a four-time Super Bowl champion.
Monte Irvin (MLB, U.S. Army)
Along with his New York Giants teammate Willie Mays, Monte Irvin was a star who played in both the Negro Leagues and Major League Baseball while also serving in the military.
Irvin, who was older than Mays, served in the U.S. Army during World War II, which included a posting in Europe during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war and after the integration of Major League Baseball, Irvin made his MLB debut in 1949 at the age of 30.
Lori Piestewa (Track, U.S. Army)
Lori Piestewa was a standout athlete, excelling in track, cross country, and softball during her high school years in Arizona. Later, fulfilling a family commitment to military service, Piestewa joined the U.S. Army, where she served as a Quartermaster Corps specialist.
Sadly, Piestewa died in March of 2003 when her Company was ambushed in Iraq. She became the first Native American woman in U.S. history to die in combat while serving the military.
Arnold Palmer (Golf, U.S. Coast Guard)
Long before golfing legend Arnold Palmer was a household name, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1951 to 1953 after being moved by the tragic death of a close friend.
It was during his time in the Coast Guard that Palmer played on military golf teams, helping to improve his game. After his service, Palmer began his legendary PGA career.
Warren Spahn (MLB, U.S. Army)
The winningest left-handed pitcher in MLB history, Warren Spahn also served with distinction in the U.S. Army during World War II. After beginning his career with the Boston Braves in 1942, Spahn enlisted and served in the 276th Engineer Combat Battalion, where he saw action at the Battle of the Bulge and the Ludendorff Bridge.
Spahn’s service earned him a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. After a couple of years away from baseball, he returned to the Braves in 1946 and immediately became one of the best pitchers in the game.
