Elmer Gedeon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | April 15, 1917 Cleveland, Ohio, US |
| Died | April 20, 1944 (aged 27) Saint-Pol, German-occupied France |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service |  United States Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1941–1944 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Unit | 586th Bomb Squadron, 394th Bombardment Group |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards |  Soldier's Medal Purple Heart |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
Elmer John Gedeon (April 15, 1917 – April 20, 1944) was an American professional baseball player, appearing in several games for the Washington Senators in 1939. Gedeon and Harry O'Neill were the only two Major League Baseball players killed during World War II.[1] Gedeon flew several missions in the European Theater of Operations as an officer of the United States Army Air Forces before being shot down over France.
During college at the University of Michigan, Gedeon became an All-American in track and field, and earned varsity letters in both football and baseball. He tied a world record in the high hurdles in 1938. After graduating, Gedeon had a stint in Major League Baseball as an outfielder for the Washington Senators. Gedeon spent most of the 1939 and 1940 baseball seasons in the minor leagues, but he was called up to the Senators in September 1939.
Gedeon's baseball career was cut short when he was drafted by the United States Army in early 1941. He trained as a bomber pilot, and was decorated for bravery after his plane crashed on a training flight in 1942. He later served in combat, and was shot down and killed while piloting a B-26 bomber on a mission over France in April 1944.