Robert William Feller was born on 3 November 1918 near Van Meter, Iowa. As a youth, he showed great talent as a baseball pitcher and played his first game with the Cleveland Indians in 1936. His performance at that time set the pattern for a two-decade long career with that team that was remarkable for its achievements, among them three "no hitter" games. Generally known by the nickname "Bob", Feller retired from Major League baseball in 1956 and entered the Baseball Hall of Fame several years later.
During the Second World War, while at the peak of his sporting career, Feller spent nearly four years in the Navy. He volunteered for the service immediately after the 7 December 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and was initially assigned duty as a physical education instructor. However, he actively sought transfer to a combat position. Following gunnery training, he joined the newly-constructed battleship Alabama. As a member of her anti-aircraft gun team, he participated in combat action in the Pacific during the conflict's final two years. Feller left active duty in late 1945, shortly after World War II's conclusion.
This page features the only view we have of Chief Specialist Robert William ("Bob") Feller.
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 22 March 2005