This is the VIC 4 VETS, Weekly Honored Veteran.
SUBMITTED BY: Fred Meyer
Morrie "Lefty" Martin,
Lefty was a dear family friend, and he was one of a few uncles that watched over my father, Harlen Meyer, when my Dad was a youth. He is a member of that exclusive club of professional baseball players who left the ball diamond to fight in WWII.
Morrie "Lefty" Martin was born 1922 and while not born in Washington he lived here for several years and married Leona Kleekamp. He is buried in St. Francis Borgia Cemetery.
Morrie was a professional baseball player for several well known teams (White Sox, Yankees, Cardinals, Dodgers, Athletics).
After just 2 seasons of baseball beginning in 1941 he entered the Army. During his time in the Army he participated in Operation Torch, Operation Overlord, Operation Cobra, and Battle of the Bulge.
He survived combat during World War II at Normandy Beach, the Battle of the Bulge, and Remagen Bridge. Lefty was a combat engineer in World War II, which meant that he was building things on the front lines that the enemy did not want built. Twice during the war he was hit by enemy fire. For his service in World War II, he was awarded two Purple Hearts, four battle stars, and an Oak Leaf Cluster. He was discharged from the army in 1945. In 1946 he returned to baseball and had a great career playing for a variety of teams. His career ended in April of 1961. He stayed and worked a variety of jobs in Washington. Later he went on to travel and do autograph signings and speeches.
Let me know Ken if you have not highlighted lefty, his wife is still alive (101 years old), I would let her know to listen in if you choose to highlight this extra-ordinary man.
Love your show with Vic!
Thanks, Fred Meyer
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This Week’s VIC 4 VETS, Honored Veteran on NewsTalkSTL.
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