Bob Feller Act of Valor Award

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Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Logo

The Bob Feller Act of Valor Award, created in 2013, is a set of awards originally presented annually to a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, a current Major League Baseball player, and a United States Navy Chief Petty Officer. [1] In 2015, the Act of Valor Award Foundation added the Jerry Coleman Award to honor a United States Marine Corps Staff Noncommissioned Officer (SNCO), and two more Act of Valor awards for junior sailor peer-to-peer mentoring organizations. The baseball recipients are honored for their support of United States servicemen and women; the military awardees are honored for achievement that represents the character of Bob Feller. The Award is presented by the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation [2] in conjunction with Major League Baseball, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, the Cleveland Guardians, and with the support of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. [3]

Contents

Background

The award is named for Bob Feller, who put his baseball career on hold and became the first American professional athlete to enlist in the armed forces, volunteering for combat service in the United States Navy the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. [4] Feller was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, his first time on the ballot. When asked, "What is the most important game you ever won?", he would answer "World War II". [5] He took great pride in his time in the military, and never once regretted placing service to his country before himself. "I didn’t worry about losing my baseball career. We needed to win the war. I wanted to do my part." [6] Feller wanted to be remembered as, "An American, who happened to be a ballplayer". [7] Despite losing almost four full seasons to wartime service, Feller had an impressive baseball career and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1962. He and Jackie Robinson were elected in their first year of eligibility, the first players to be so honored since the inaugural class of 1936. Feller died in 2010. [8]

History

Peter Fertig conceived the award. He wrote letters to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Major League Baseball, the Cleveland Indians, and the USS Alabama (BB-60), and said that "within six weeks, I had everybody's support". He garnered support from the business community in Cleveland, as well as Feller's widow Anne Feller. Then he worked with Islip, New York, councilman John Cochrane in drafting a proposal. Rear Admiral Michael Jabaley [9] of the United States Navy helped mentor Peter with gaining official support from the United States Navy. It became an official Navy award on Memorial Day, 2013. [10]

In 2013, its inaugural year, three awards were given to represent Bob Feller's life as an MLB player, a U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer, and a National Baseball Hall of Famer. The award also recognized 37 Hall of Fame players, owners, umpires, and broadcasters that served during World War II. Three MLB finalists were named by the award's board of directors, three Navy Chief Petty Officer finalists were selected by the U.S. Navy, and the board of directors selected the Hall of Famer. The announcement of the award took place at the Hall of Fame ceremony on May 25, followed by a presentation to the finalists on July 6, and a selection of the winners on Veterans Day. [10] The awards were presented at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Jerry Coleman Award

On July 28, 2015, the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation announced that it would present the Jerry Coleman Award to honor a Marine Staff Noncommissioned Officer (SNCO) who "possesses outstanding leadership and unyielding support for the United States Marine Corps and the United States of America". As the 75th Secretary of the Navy, the honorable Ray Mabus made the recommendation for the award to the board of directors, explaining that as Secretary of the Navy, he is responsible for the entire Naval community which includes the United States Marine Corps. The award is named after Jerry Coleman, awarded MLB Rookie of the Year (1949), All-Star (1950), and World Series MVP (1950), all with the New York Yankees. Coleman was also a longtime broadcaster for the San Diego Padres and was honored with the Ford C. Frick Award, presented by the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Coleman served in the United States Marine Corps in World War II and Korea. [11] [12]

Peer-to-peer mentoring awards

Beginning in 2015, along with the Bob Feller and Jerry Coleman Awards, the Foundation added two peer-to-peer mentoring awards, one for afloat and one for ashore organizations. The awards "honor groups of junior Sailors that have excelled in encouraging other Sailors to embody the Navy's core values of honor, courage, and commitment, and have worked together to promote peer-to-peer mentorship and reduce destructive personal decision-making and behaviors". The Sailors range from ages 18 to 25 years old. [12] [13]

Award recipients

YearNational Baseball Hall of Fame PlayerMLB PlayerUnited States Navy Chief Petty Officer AwardUnited States Marine Corps Jerry Coleman AwardPeer to Peer Award (Afloat)Peer to Peer Award (Ashore)Fellowship AwardPatriot AwardRefs.
2013 Yogi Berra Justin Verlander Chief Petty Officer Garth Sinclair––– [14] [15]
2014 Tommy Lasorda Nick Swisher Chief Petty Officer Carl Thompson––– [16] [17]
2015 George Brett Jonathan Lucroy Chief Petty Officer Genell CodyStaff Sergeant Rene Segura USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) Hopper Information Services Center [12]
2016 Rod Carew Brad Ziegler Chief Petty Officer Christopher BeedingGunnery Sergeant Marshall Cleveland USS Constitution Training Support Center Great Lakes Chapter of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) [18] [19]
2017 Tom Seaver Darren O'Day Chief Petty Officer Edmundo BrantesStaff Sergeant Adam Plambeck Unmanned Patrol Squadron One Nine (VUP-19) Training Support Center Great Lakes Chapter of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) [20] [21]
2018 Johnny Bench Sean Doolittle Chief Petty Officer Shawn M. WingleGunnery Sergeant Johnathan S. Rose Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 in Port Hueneme, CATraining Support Center Great Lakes Chapter of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) [22]
2019 Randy Johnson Ian Kennedy Chief Petty Officer Jairo N. GuityGunnery Sergeant Joshua A. MacMillan USS America (LHA-6) Junior Enlisted Association (JEA)Training Support Center Great Lakes Chapter of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD)Nathaniel Cameron

(Ohio University)

 [23]
2020 Brooks Robinson Craig Stammen Chief Petty Officer Lacresha L. DowdellMaster Sergeant Herman A. Kruppa USS America (LHA-6) Junior Enlisted Association (JEA)Training Support Center Great Lakes Chapter of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD)Tyler Buchholz

(James Madison University)

 [24]
2021 Joe Torre Griffin Jax Chief Petty Officer

Joshua A. Sawyer

First Sergeant

Daniel P. Best

 USS Germantown (LSD-42)

Junior Enlisted Association (JEA)

Training Support Center Great Lakes Chapter of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD)Galen Odell

(Emerson College)

 [25]
2022 Trevor Hoffman Byron Buxton Chief Petty Officer

Kendall D. Burnett

Gunnery Sergeant Joseph S. White USS Constitution Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD)Blake Schmida

(University of Nebraska-Lincoln)

 [26]
2023 Carlton Fisk Jon Gray Chief Personnel Specialist

Terrell M. Cutler

Gunnery Sergeant Terrance B. Showers USS Tripoli (LHA-7)Junior Enlisted Association

(JEA)

-Nora Belodeau

(Gettysburg College)

&

Marco Del Bene (Pace University)

 [27]
2024 Pedro Martinez Sean Reid-Foley Chief Petty Officer

Roberto P. Landeros III

Gunnery Sergeant

Austin J. Otto

PCU JFK CSADDNIOC ColoradoCasey Coffman

(Texas State University)

 Al Bumbry [28]
2025 Rollie Fingers Mike Yastrzemski Chief Petty Officer

Ollie E. Dunlap IV

Gunnery Sergeant

Paul A. Luna

 USS DECATUR (DDG 73) -Caitlyn Omey (Fordham University) Rick Monday [29]

World War II Hall of Fame Members

NameTeamBranch
Al Barlick Umpire United States Coast Guard
Bill Dickey New York Yankees United States Navy
Bill Veeck ExecutiveUnited States Marine Corps
Billy Herman Brooklyn Dodgers United States Navy
Bobby Doerr Boston Red Sox United States Army
Bob FellerCleveland IndiansUnited States Navy
Bob Lemon Cleveland IndiansUnited States Navy
Buck O'Neil Kansas City Monarchs United States Navy
Charlie Gehringer Detroit Tigers United States Navy
Duke Snider Brooklyn DodgersUnited States Navy
Early Wynn Washington Senators United States Army
Enos Slaughter St. Louis Cardinals United States Army Air Force
Gil Hodges Brooklyn Dodgers United States Marine Corps
Hank Greenberg Detroit TigersUnited States Army Air Force
Hoyt Wilhelm New York Giants United States Army
Jackie Robinson Brooklyn DodgersUnited States Army
Joe DiMaggio New York Yankees United States Army Air Force
Joe Gordon New York YankeesUnited States Army Air Force
Johnny Mize New York GiantsUnited States Navy
Larry Doby Cleveland IndiansUnited States Navy
Larry MacPhail ExecutiveUnited States Army
Lee MacPhail ExecutiveUnited States Navy
Leon Day Newark Eagles United States Army
Luke Appling Chicago White Sox United States Army
Mickey Cochrane Philadelphia Athletics United States Navy
Monte Irvin New York GiantsUnited States Army
Nestor Chylak UmpireUnited States Army
Pee Wee Reese Brooklyn DodgersUnited States Navy
Phil Rizzuto New York YankeesUnited States Navy
Ralph Kiner Pittsburgh Pirates United States Navy
Red Ruffing New York YankeesUnited States Army Air Force
Red Schoendienst St. Louis CardinalsUnited States Army
Robin Roberts Philadelphia Phillies United States Army Air Force
Stan Musial St. Louis CardinalsUnited States Navy
Ted Lyons Chicago White SoxUnited States Marine Corps
Ted Williams Boston Red SoxUnited States Marine Corps
Warren Spahn Milwaukee Braves United States Army
Willard Brown Kansas City Monarchs United States Army
Yogi Berra New York Yankees United States Navy


See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bob Feller Act of Valor Award". MLB.com . Archived from the original on May 31, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Act of Valor Award – Honoring Baseball Legend Bob Feller". Bob Feller Act of Valor Award official website. Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  3. ↑ "'Bob Feller Act of Valor Award' to Honor Former Cleveland Indians Great" (Press release). March 26, 2013. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Bob Feller Museum.
  4. ↑ Buckheit, Mary (November 12, 2009). "For Feller, Navy was easy decision". ESPN.com . Archived from the original on May 7, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  5. ↑ "About Bob Feller". Bob Feller Act of Valor Award official website. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Who Was Bob Feller and What Made Him So Great?". imaginesports.com. July 30, 2018. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  7. ↑ Orr, Matthew (December 15, 2010). "Last Word: Bob Feller". The New York Times . Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  8. ↑ Goldstein, Richard (December 15, 2010). "Bob Feller, Whose Fastball Dazzled, Dies at 92". The New York Times . Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Rear Adm. Michael E. Jabaley". Naval Sea Systems Command . Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  10. 1 2 Kleps, Kevin (April 10, 2013). "Peter Fertig was on the ball in creating the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award". Crain's Cleveland Business . Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation Announces MLB & Hall of Fame Nominees Adds Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Award and Jerry Coleman Award Honoring Marine Corps" (Press release). July 28, 2015. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021– via MLB.com.
  12. 1 2 3 ""I'm very honored:" Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy recipient of "Bob Feller Act of Valor Awards"". Fox 6 Milwaukee . September 27, 2015. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  13. ↑ Myers, Meghann (August 7, 2017). "Chief, NCO and junior sailors honored at Bob Feller awards". Navy Times . Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  14. ↑ Danielson, Dar (October 15, 2013). "First winners announced for the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award". Radio Iowa. Learfield News & Ag. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Justin Verlander, Yogi Berra among winners of Bob Feller Act of Valor Award". Associated Press. November 6, 2013. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021– via WJLA.
  16. ↑ Frank, Noah (November 6, 2014). "Lasorda, Swisher honored with Bob Feller Award". WTOP . Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  17. ↑ Andes, Scott (October 9, 2014). "Tommy Lasorda Awarded Bob Feller Act of Valor". Dodgers Way – FanSided . Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Act of Valor Award Foundation Announces 2016 Winners" (Press release). October 5, 2016. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021– via Care Medical Wear.
  19. ↑ Rice, David (October 7, 2016). "Angels Hall of Famer Rod Carew wins Bob Feller Act of Valor Award". Halo Hangout FanSided . Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Bob Feller Act of Valor Award 5th Annual Award Ceremony November 16". United States Navy Memorial (Press release). November 1, 2017. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  21. ↑ Meoli, Jon (October 3, 2017). "Orioles reliever Darren O'Day wins 2017 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award". The Baltimore Sun . Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  22. ↑ Kerr, Byron (October 2, 2018). "Doolittle honored with Bob Feller Act of Valor Award". MASN . Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Navy Baseball Takes Part in 2019 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Ceremony". Naval Academy Athletics . November 15, 2019. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  24. ↑ Harig, Jackie (November 20, 2020). "Brooks Robinson Receives Bob Feller Act of Valor Award". MLB.com . Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  25. ↑ "2021 Bob Feller Award Honorees Announced – Act of Valor Award". actofvaloraward.org. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  26. ↑ Fertig, Peter (October 10, 2022). "2022 Bob Feller Act of Valor Awards". Press Release. p. 1.
  27. ↑ "2023 Awardees".
  28. ↑ "2024 Awardees | Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation". Bfaovf. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
  29. ↑ "2025 Awardees | Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation". Bfaovf. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
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