March 29th is observed annually as National Vietnam War Veterans Day, recognizing veterans who served in the United States military during the Vietnam War.
Of the 2,709,918 Americans to serve in Vietnam, six were major league ballplayer, but there were 101 total professional ballplayers who answered their country’s call in its time of need – five of whom, gave their lives.
Kerry L. Taylor played second and third base in rookie ball for the Twins in 1968. In all, he played just 18 games and batted just .125, with six hits in 48 at-bats.
He was a Specialist Fourth Grade in the United States Army and was killed by exploding ordinance on January 21, 1970, in Long Khanh, South Vietnam. He was just 19 years old.
Hall of Famer in my book.
Joseph F. McCarthy, Jr. played third base in the Northwest League in 1966 and the Florida State League, both as a member of the Braves. He was a career .169 hitter, playing a total of just 34 career games.
He, too, was a Specialist Fourth Grade in the United States Army and was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade on May 25, 1969, in Tay Ninh, South Vietnam. He was 22 years old.
Hall of Famer in my book.
Charles J. Chase was drafted in the first round (18th overall) by the Twins in the January 1966 Draft. He was an outfielder for the Gulf Coast League Twins in 1966. He touted a stout .394 on-base percentage, long before it became an official statistic in 1984, in 45 games.
After the 1966 season, he was drafted by the United States Army. An on June 11, 1968, Staff Sergeant C. J. Chase was killed by “friendly fire” during a firefight with North Vietnamese Army troops. He was 21 years old.
Posthumously, he was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions and leadership in Vietnam. His citation states:
“For meritorious service in connection with military operations against an armed, hostile force in the Republic of South Vietnam – Staff Sergeant Charles Chase distinguished himself while serving as a platoon sergeant with Company A, First Battalion, 35th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division during the period of April – June 1968. Staff Sergeant Chase’s cheerful attitude and concern for his men earned him the respect and friendship of the entire company. His outstanding achievements and personal integrity and exemplary devotion to duty are keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit to him, his unit, and the United States Army.”
Hall of Famer in my book.
Eddie Glinnen played with the Giants during Spring Training and briefly in the minors in 1968, playing third base. Soon after, he was serving as a Specialist Fourth Grade in the United States Army. He was wounded in an accident on January 1, 1970, in Dau Tieng, Binh Duong Province, Vietnam, and died ten days later as a result of his wounds. He was 21 years old.
Hall of Famer in my book.
Udell “Dell” Chambers, a shortstop and a centerfielder, was by far the most talented ballplayer of the ground. After batting .209/.396/.319 in 39 games for the Gulf Coast League Braves in 1966, he went on to hit .325/.450/.501 with a league-leading 27 doubles, adding 12 home runs and 28 stolen bases in 100 games for the Lexington Braves in 1967.
Dell, a black man, was not drafted by the Braves, signing out of St. Louis Community College at Meramec, but he was selected by the United States Army. On June 21, 1968, in Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam, Private First Class Udell Chambers was killed in action, struck by rocket and mortar fire. He was 20 years old.
Hall of Famer in my book.
Gentlemen, you are not forgotten…
