Notes from Hank

Hank Greenberg’s baseball career made him a legend. But it was his military service that cemented his place as an American hero.

Today – thanks to a unique currency donation – the two intersect in Cooperstown.

Greenberg, who smashed 331 home runs and won two Most Valuable Player Awards during what amounted to nine full seasons with the Tigers and the Pirates, served in the Army prior to the start of the United States’ formal involvement in World War II.
Immediately following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, Greenberg re-enlisted – having been honorably discharged just two days prior to the attack.

By the time he returned to the Tigers midway through the 1945 season, Greenberg had bravely served his country at home and overseas – sacrificing about four-and-a-half prime seasons of his career. But even in wartime and away from the National Pastime, soldiers found ways to have fun.

One military tradition – known as the “short snorter” – forever captures Greenberg’s heroism and his buddies’ camaraderie in a single artifact at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

The morning of May 7, 1941, Hank Greenberg submitted to his induction in the United States Army. Inside a downtown Detroit industrial building that manufactured women’s corsets, he filled out forms, answered questions, and provided his fingerprints. The newsreel cameras rolled, photographers snapped pictures and a 13-piece WPA orchestra played swing music, considered good for morale. The day before, Greenberg had hit two home runs –perhaps the last of his career – and powered the home team to victory over the Yankees.

That morning marked the culmination of 10 weeks of controversy dating back to February when a member of Draft Board No. 23 leaked Greenberg’s private request for Class 2 classification “because my years of earning power are limited and one year out of action will reduce my effectiveness considerably.”

If granted, the 30-year-old Greenberg would at least be allowed to finish the 1941 season and might avoid military service altogether. He had been baseball’s highest-paid player in 1940 and expected a raise after earning MVP honors. The national press jumped on the story, which stirred debate on a hero’s obligations, even before America had entered the war.

John Considine of the Washington Post thought it reasonable that Greenberg be asked to give up his income for a single season rather than potentially missing two earning years during his prime. On the other side, John Kieran of The New York Times argued that ballplayers like Greenberg had an elevated responsibility as “heroes to the boys of the land” not only to serve but they should be “lifted above the common citizenry.”

In what was to be a routine physical examination, the doctor found Greenberg in perfect health except for second degree bilateral pens planus, or two flat feet. The diagnosis relegated him to class 1-B, qualifying him only for limited detail. Hank’s flat feet were no surprise – they had troubled him since his youth – but the doctor’s diagnosis was met with incredulity. Wait a minute, the guy can run the bases, but he’s not fit to march in rank?!

Not wanting to be accused of favoritism, the members of Draft Board 23 sought a second opinion from a Detroit physician, who, not surprisingly, recommended that Hank be reclassified 1-A.

Once again, his situation divided public opinion and drew out the bigots like the one who wrote to him: “If you dare to play baseball this year with your poor flat feet and your big Jewish nose, you will be America’s No. 1 slacker.”

But Greenberg submitted when summoned to service.

Hank was officially assigned to C Company, 2nd Infantry, 5th Division, an anti-tank unit housed among the clapboard buildings of Fort Custer, about 125 miles west of Detroit. In his first six months, his company commander promoted him three times, to first class private, then corporal and finally sergeant. He was in charge of a five-man crew and responsible for the care of the Army’s 37-millimeter anti-tank guns.

On December 5, the United States Army released Hank Greenberg from active duty. After seven months in the service, he was eager to return to the Tigers.

Two days later, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

On May 7, 1945 – exactly four years after Greenberg’s initial induction – German troops surrendered to the Allies. With the war in Europe over, the Armed Services no longer needed all of its officers. The Army Air Forces placed Capt. Greenberg on the inactive list, and on June 14, 1945, he walked out of Fort Dix willing – if not ready – to return to the Tigers, who held a slim half-game lead over the Yankees.

A little more than two weeks later, Greenberg homered in his first game back – on July 1, 1945 against the Athletics – proving that America was ready and able to return from war. For Greenberg, it was another historic moment in a lifetime filled with them.

John Rosengren is the author of Hank Greenberg: The Hero of Heroes. This article is adapted from that book.