Photos: Sports Legends Who Served in the Military

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Nov 11, 2021

Today is Veterans Day, a time to honor the sacrifices of those people who have served in the armed forces—a group that includes several athletes. Some, such as Roberto Clemente, served in peace time. Others saw action: Roger Staubach, a Naval Academy graduate who could have requested an assignment stateside, instead volunteered for a tour in South Vietnam. Yogi Berra was part of the Normandy invading force on D-Day. Ted Williams was an aviator in World War II and the Korean War. All of them deserve to be remembered on this special day.

Roger Staubach, United States Navy in Vietnam War — Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated

Roger Staubach, U.S. Navy in Vietnam War

Veterans_Gallery_002 — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Jackie Robinson, U.S. Army in World War II

Veterans_Gallery_004 — Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated

Roberto Clemente, U.S. Marine Corps Reserves

Veterans_Gallery_005 — Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated

Yogi Berra, U.S. Navy in World War II

1025 copy — Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated

Arnold Palmer, U.S. Coast Guard

Veterans_Gallery_006 — Mark Kauffman/Sports Illustrated

Rocky Marciano, U.S. Army in World War II

Veterans_Gallery_007 — Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated

Ted Williams, U.S. Navy Reserve in World War II and U.S. Marine Corps in Korean War

Veterans_Gallery_008 — James Drake/Sports Illustrated

Leon Spinks, U.S. Marine Corps

Veterans_Gallery_009 — Mark Kauffman/Sports Illustrated

Pee Wee Reese, U.S. Navy in World War II

Veterans_Gallery_010 — Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated

Tom Seaver, U.S. Marine Corps Reserves

Veterans_Gallery_011 — Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

Lee Trevino, U.S. Marine Corps

Veterans_Gallery_012 — Bob Martin/Sports Illustrated

Steven Holcomb, U.S. Army National Guard

Veterans_Gallery_013 — Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated

Warren Spahn, U.S. Army in World War II

Veterans_Gallery_014 — Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated

Nolan Ryan, U.S. Army Reserves

001298563 — Heinz Kluetmeier/Sports Illustrated

Dusty Baker, U.S. Marine Corps Reserves