Elmer Gedeon
Elmer John Gedeon (April 15, 1917 – April 20, 1944) is one of only two Major League Baseball players killed in action during World War II.[1] He was also a multi-sport star in college at the University of Michigan.
| Elmer Gedeon | |
|---|---|
 Gedeon, 1938 | |
| Born | April 15, 1917 Cleveland, Ohio |
| Died | April 20, 1944 (aged 27) Saint-Pol, German-occupied France |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/branch |  United States Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1941–1944 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit | 586th Bomb Squadron, 394th Bombardment Group |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |  Soldier's Medal Purple Heart |
At Michigan, Gedeon became an All-American in track and field, and earned varsity letters in both American football and baseball. He tied a world record in the high hurdles in 1938. After graduating, Gedeon had a position in Major League Baseball as an outfielder for the Washington Senators. Gedeon spent most of the 1939 and 1940 baseball seasons in the minor leagues. He was called up to the Senators in September 1939.
Gedeon's was drafted by the United States Army in early 1941. Since he was drafted, he had to stop baseball. He trained as a bomber pilot. He served in combat, and was shot down and killed in France, April 1944.
Elmer Gedeon Media
Gedeon from 1939 Michiganensian
B-26 Marauder of the 394th Bomb Group at RAF Boreham.
Elmer Gedeon gravestone, U.S. Army Air Forces Captain, one of only two MLB players killed during WWII, in Section 34 of Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia on March 26, 2025
Obsolete United States Army Air Force Pilot insignia
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References
- ↑ Weintraub, Robert (May 26, 2013). Two Who Did Not Return. https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/sports/baseball/remembering-the-major-leaguers-who-died-in-world-war-ii.html. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
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