This was common place back then, sadly enough it is rare these days.

Baseball Greats Recall WWII Service

Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller signed up for the military one day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, without consulting the Cleveland Indians. He said it was the right thing to do.

"This country needs more young people to be leaders today," he said.

Feller spent four years in the Navy as a gun captain in the Pacific before returning to the Indians. Coleman joked he was proud of Feller's service but unhappy he returned to the majors, complaining about his unhittable curveball.