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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 102847:  Chief Specialist Robert William ("Bob") Feller, probably on board USS Alabama, circa 1942-1943

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Chief Specialist Robert William ("Bob") Feller, USN(R?), (1918-____)

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."

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Photo #: NH 102847

Chief Specialist Robert William ("Bob") Feller


By a 40mm quadruple anti-aircraft gun mount, probably on board USS Alabama (BB-60) in late 1942 or early 1943.
The original caption (released 5 March 1943) reads: "GUN CAPTAIN FELLER -- Bob Feller, one of the finest baseball pitchers of the era, is all set to do a different kind of pitching these days. As a Chief Specialist, he is the captain of a 40mm gun crew aboard one of Uncle Sam's new battleships. The former American Leaguer joined the U.S. Navy as a physical education instructor and later applied for Gunnery School. Subsequently he was assigned to sea duty and here he is -- grin and all -- beside his guns on a cold winter day."

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection at the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 53KB; 600 x 765 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 22 March 2005