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Jerry Coleman facts for kids
| Jerry Coleman | |
|---|---|
Coleman receiving the Lone Sailor Award in 2011
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| Nickname | The Colonel |
| Born | September 14, 1924 San Jose, California |
| Died | January 5, 2014 (aged 89) |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps *Marine Forces Reserve |
| Years of service | 1942–1964 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Unit | VMSB-341 VMA-323 |
| Battles/wars | World War II *Solomon Islands campaign *Philippines Campaign (1944–45) Korean War |
| Other work | New York Yankee Second Baseman San Diego Padres Radio Announcer |
Gerald Francis "Jerry" Coleman (September 14, 1924 – January 5, 2014) was a Major League Baseball (MLB) second baseman for the New York Yankees and manager of the San Diego Padres for one year. Coleman was named the rookie of the year in 1949 by Associated Press, and was an All-Star in 1950 and later that year was named the World Series Most Valuable Player. Yankees teams on which he was a player appeared in six World Series during his career, winning four times. He later became a broadcaster, and he was honored in 2005 by the National Baseball Hall of Fame with the Ford C. Frick Award for his broadcasting contributions.
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Marine Corp
Nicknamed "The Colonel" because he was a U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, Coleman was a Marine aviator who postponed his entry into professional baseball in World War II and later left baseball to serve in the Korean War. While a Marine Corps aviator he flew 120 combat missions (57 during World War II and 63 in Korea). and received numerous honors and medals, including induction into the USMC Sports Hall of Fame, for his call to duty.
Awards
Coleman was the recipient of the following medals:
- Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
- Air Medal (13)
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Korean Service Medal
- United Nations Service Medal
- Philippine Liberation Medal
In 2011, Coleman was inducted into the International Aerospace Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the San Diego Air & Space Museum for his service as a combat pilot in World War II and the Korean War.
Death
Coleman's death was reported by the San Diego Padres on January 5, 2014. He died after being hospitalized after a fall in his home. He was 89. Coleman was interred at Miramar National Cemetery after a private funeral. He was outlived by his second wife and three children.
In 2015, a sports facility at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego was named in honor of Coleman.
Images for kids
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Baseball announcer Jerry Coleman 2008
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Jerry Coleman, World War II veteran and commentator for the San Diego Padres baseball team, delivers opening remarks for the 60th anniversary of the allied victory over Japan (VJ Day) during World War II, 2005
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Statue of Coleman at Petco Park