Athletes who served in the military

Yahoo Sports

Yahoo Sports would like to salute the athletes who have heroically fought for our freedom.

Alejandro Villanueva spent the past four years defending his country in the U.S. Army. Villanueva will now spend this offseason trying to make the Philadelphia Eagles’ 53-man roster.
Alejandro Villanueva
Alejandro Villanueva spent the past four years defending his country in the U.S. Army. Villanueva will now spend this offseason trying to make the Philadelphia Eagles’ 53-man roster.
14 Nov 1999: Pat Tillman #40 of the Arizona Cardinals runs to catch the pass during the game against the Detroit Lions at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Lions 23-19. Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport
Legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson was drafted into a segregated unit of the Army in 1942. During his service he was court-martialed for refusing to move to the back of an Army bus.
Legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson was drafted into a segregated unit of the Army in 1942. During his service he was court-martialed for refusing to move to the back of an Army bus.
Legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson was drafted into a segregated unit of the Army in 1942. During his service he was court-martialed for refusing to move to the back of an Army bus.
Dallas Cowboys legendary coach Tom Landry served in the Army Aired Forces during WWII. He was a part of 30 combat missions and was involved in a crash landing during his service.<br><br>
DSAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Tom Landry of the Dallas Cowboys watches from the sideline during a game against the San Diego Chargers on November 16, 1986. Tom Landry coached the Cowboys from 1960 to 1980, leading them to two Super Bowl victories. (Photo by Ken Levine/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tom Landry
Dallas Cowboys legendary coach Tom Landry served in the Army Aired Forces during WWII. He was a part of 30 combat missions and was involved in a crash landing during his service.

Golfer Patty Berg joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 where she served as a Procurement Officer until 1945.<br><br>
EDINA, MN - SEPTEMBER 19: LPGA founding member Patty Berg raises the US flag during opening ceremonies of the 2002 Solheim Cup matches between USA and Europe held at the Interlachen Golf Club on September 19, 2002 in Edina, Minnesota. (Photo By Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Golfer Patty Berg joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 where she served as a Procurement Officer until 1945.

Baseball player Joe DiMaggio volunteered for the Army in 1943. He served for two years in the service. Most of his time was spent playing for the military baseball team. After being given a medical release in 1945, he returned to the Yankees.
Baseball player Joe DiMaggio volunteered for the Army in 1943. He served for two years in the service. Most of his time was spent playing for the military baseball team. After being given a medical release in 1945, he returned to the Yankees.
Baseball player Joe DiMaggio volunteered for the Army in 1943. He served for two years in the service. Most of his time was spent playing for the military baseball team. After being given a medical release in 1945, he returned to the Yankees.
Baseball player Bob Feller was having a strong season with the Cleveland Indians when WWII began. He enlisted in the Navy where he served as a Chief Petty Officer and was involved in many dangerous missions.
Baseball player Bob Feller was having a strong season with the Cleveland Indians when WWII began. He enlisted in the Navy where he served as a Chief Petty Officer and was involved in many dangerous missions.
Baseball player Bob Feller was having a strong season with the Cleveland Indians when WWII began. He enlisted in the Navy where he served as a Chief Petty Officer and was involved in many dangerous missions.
NFL player Bob Kalsu was the Buffalo Bills rookie of the year in 1968. In 1969 he was called into duty with the Army during the VIetnam War. He was killed in action while in Vietnam.
NFL player Bob Kalsu was the Buffalo Bills rookie of the year in 1968. In 1969 he was called into duty with the Army during the VIetnam War. He was killed in action while in Vietnam.
NFL player Bob Kalsu was the Buffalo Bills rookie of the year in 1968. In 1969 he was called into duty with the Army during the VIetnam War. He was killed in action while in Vietnam.
Boxer Jack Dempsey enlisted in the New York State National Guard and the Coast Guard reserve during WWII. Not only did he see combat but he was a part of the invasion of Okinawa.
Boxer Jack Dempsey enlisted in the New York State National Guard and the Coast Guard reserve during WWII. Not only did he see combat but he was a part of the invasion of Okinawa.
Boxer Jack Dempsey enlisted in the New York State National Guard and the Coast Guard reserve during WWII. Not only did he see combat but he was a part of the invasion of Okinawa.
Hall of fame baseball player Hank Greenberg served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during WWII. He served as a captain and spent 45 months in the military, longer than any other major league player.
Hall of fame baseball player Hank Greenberg served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during WWII. He served as a captain and spent 45 months in the military, longer than any other major league player.
Hall of fame baseball player Hank Greenberg served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during WWII. He served as a captain and spent 45 months in the military, longer than any other major league player.
Baseball player Ted Williams served in the Navy reserve during WWII. After being discharged he returned to the Red Sox in 1946 where he played until he was called to fight in the Korean War. There he served as a pilot for the Marines. He flew 39 missions during the war which resulted in him losing part of his hearing.
Baseball player Ted Williams served in the Navy reserve during WWII. After being discharged he returned to the Red Sox in 1946 where he played until he was called to fight in the Korean War. There he served as a pilot for the Marines. He flew 39 missions during the war which resulted in him losing part of his hearing.
Baseball player Ted Williams served in the Navy reserve during WWII. After being discharged he returned to the Red Sox in 1946 where he played until he was called to fight in the Korean War. There he served as a pilot for the Marines. He flew 39 missions during the war which resulted in him losing part of his hearing.
Hall of fame basketball coach John Wooden served the U.S. Navy during WWII from 1942-45 as a lieutenant.
Hall of fame basketball coach John Wooden served the U.S. Navy during WWII from 1942-45 as a lieutenant.
Hall of fame basketball coach John Wooden served the U.S. Navy during WWII from 1942-45 as a lieutenant.
Boxer Joe Louis enlisted in the Army during WWII where he helped ease racial tensions in military units. He received the Legion of Merit medal for his service.
Boxer Joe Louis enlisted in the Army during WWII where he helped ease racial tensions in military units. He received the Legion of Merit medal for his service.
Boxer Joe Louis enlisted in the Army during WWII where he helped ease racial tensions in military units. He received the Legion of Merit medal for his service.
NFL Pro Bowler Roger Staubach attended the U.S. Naval Academy where he won a Heisman. Before he left he did a one year tour in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He returned to the NFL and won two Super Bowls.
NFL Pro Bowler Roger Staubach attended the U.S. Naval Academy where he won a Heisman. Before he left he did a one year tour in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He returned to the NFL and won two Super Bowls.
NFL Pro Bowler Roger Staubach attended the U.S. Naval Academy where he won a Heisman. Before he left he did a one year tour in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He returned to the NFL and won two Super Bowls.
NBA player David Robinson attended the U.S. Naval Academy and served two tours of duty with the Navy. He went on to have a very successful NBA career.<br><br>
-DENVER -1989: David Robinson #50 of the San Antonio Spurs goes for the jump shot against Danny Schayes #34 of the Denver Nuggets during the game circa 1989 -1990 at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Tim DeFrisco/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Robinson;Danny Schayes
NBA player David Robinson attended the U.S. Naval Academy and served two tours of duty with the Navy. He went on to have a very successful NBA career.

Baseball player Yogi Berra put his baseball dream on hold when he turned 18 and joined the Navy in 1943. During WWII he served on a rocket launching boat and was part of D-Day in Normandy. After the war he returned to baseball where he had a legendary career with the Yankees.<br><br>
1989: Coach Yogi Berra of the Houston Astros leans against the batters cage before an MLB (Major League Baseball) game in 1989. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images)
Baseball player Yogi Berra put his baseball dream on hold when he turned 18 and joined the Navy in 1943. During WWII he served on a rocket launching boat and was part of D-Day in Normandy. After the war he returned to baseball where he had a legendary career with the Yankees.

Golfer Bobby Jones served his country during WWII with the U.S. Army Air Corps. His unit was converted into an infantry unit and he was a part of the infamous D-Day on the beaches of Normandy. <br><br>
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 30: Apparel on display at the Bobby Jones booth at the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show at the Orange County Convention Center on January 30, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Golfer Bobby Jones served his country during WWII with the U.S. Army Air Corps. His unit was converted into an infantry unit and he was a part of the infamous D-Day on the beaches of Normandy.

Hall of fame baseball player Willie Mays was Rookie of the Year in 1951, the next year he was drafted into active duty. He served in the Korean War with the U.S. Army.<br><br>
/30 Sep 1999: Willie Mays of the San Francisco Giants throws the last pitch during the last game at 3 Com Park, commonly known as Candlestick Park, against the Los Angeles Dodgers at 3 Com Park in San Francisco, California. The Dodgers defeated the Giants 9-4. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport
Hall of fame baseball player Willie Mays was Rookie of the Year in 1951, the next year he was drafted into active duty. He served in the Korean War with the U.S. Army.

Baseball player, manager, and announcer Jerry Coleman was a pilot in the Marines. He flew 57 combat missions during his military career. Coleman fought in both WWII and the Korean War.<br><br>
MSAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: San Diego Padres broadcaster Jerry Coleman, center, talks with Chase Headley #7, right, as he's honored at Jerry Coleman Day before a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park on September 15, 2012 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
Baseball player, manager, and announcer Jerry Coleman was a pilot in the Marines. He flew 57 combat missions during his military career. Coleman fought in both WWII and the Korean War.

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