28 Facts About Elmer Gedeon

Elmer John Gedeon was an American professional baseball player, appearing in several games for the Washington Senators in 1939.

Elmer 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.

Elmer Gedeon tied a world record in the high hurdles in 1938.

Elmer 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.

Elmer Gedeon trained as a bomber pilot, and was decorated for bravery after his plane crashed on a training flight in 1942.

Elmer Gedeon later served in combat, and was shot down and killed while piloting a B-26 bomber on a mission over France in April 1944.

Elmer Gedeon's surname was common in Cleveland, because many people from Sudetenland, where it was common, settled in Cleveland.

Elmer Gedeon enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1935 where he earned varsity letters in three sports: baseball, football, and track and field.

Elmer Gedeon's best sport was track and field, in which he was a two-time Big Ten Conference champion in the outdoor 120-yard high hurdles and indoor 70-yard high hurdles.

In March 1938, Elmer Gedeon tied the American indoor record in the 70-yard high hurdles at the Big Ten meet in Chicago.

Elmer Gedeon went on to tie a world record in the Illinois Relays, and then won the Big Ten title despite an injury.

Elmer Gedeon led Michigan to victory in the March 1939 Big Ten indoor track and field meet in Chicago.

In baseball, Elmer Gedeon played both first base and the outfield for the Michigan Wolverines baseball team.

Elmer Gedeon was a two-time letterman in baseball and batted.

Elmer Gedeon signed with the Washington Senators after graduating in the summer of 1939.

Elmer Gedeon chose to sign with the Senators over a possible appearance as a member of the USA's track team in the 1940 Summer Olympics.

In 1940, Elmer Gedeon attended spring training with the Senators in Orlando, seeking a spot in the outfield or first base.

Elmer Gedeon was drafted into the military in January 1941, reporting to the Army instead of attending spring training.

Elmer Gedeon immediately became an acting corporal of Troop B of the First Squadron for the thirteen-week training program.

On October 22,1941, Elmer Gedeon was accepted into pilot training despite his larger size and transferred to the United States Army Air Forces, earning his pilot's wings and a commission as a second lieutenant at Williams Field, Arizona in May 1942.

Elmer Gedeon undertook twin-engined bomber training with the 21st Bomb Group at MacDill Field in Tampa, Florida.

Two crew members died in the crash, and Elmer Gedeon spent 12 weeks in the hospital recovering from his broken ribs and burns to his back, hands, face and legs, some requiring skin grafts.

In July 1943, Elmer Gedeon was among personnel from the 21st BG that became the cadre of the 586th Bomb Squadron, 394th Bombardment Group United States Army Air Forces, formed to train with Martin B-26 Marauders.

Elmer Gedeon was assigned as Squadron Operations Officer and began flying combat missions in Europe.

Elmer Gedeon was initially reported as missing in action and it was not until May 1945 his family received word his grave had been located in a small British Army cemetery at Saint-Pol, France.

Elmer Gedeon's remains were later returned to the United States and interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 34, Site 3047.

Elmer Gedeon was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor for track and baseball in 1983.

Elmer Gedeon was the sixth Michigan athlete inducted for his contributions in multiple sports.