Bob Feller Act of Valor Award

In a first-of-its-kind unison linking the United States Navy and the professional baseball world, the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award was created in 2013 to recognize individuals for possessing the values, integrity and dedication to serving our country that Bob Feller himself displayed.

The award is presented annually to one professional baseball player, one Baseball Hall of Famer, and one US Navy Chief Petty Officer.

Peter Fertig created The Bob Feller Act of Valor Award with the support of the US Navy, the USS Alabama, The Cleveland Guardians, the Baseball Hall of Fame, and the gracious consent of Mrs. Anne Feller.

Background:

Bob Feller is widely recognized as one of the greatest pitchers to have ever played the game, yet few know he voluntarily enlisted in the military just days following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. He was decorated with six campaign ribbons and eight battle stars, while serving on missions in both the Pacific and the North Atlantic, earning the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

Aviation Ordnanceman Chief Lacresha L. Dowdell

Master Sergeant Herman A. Kruppa

Craig Stammen (San Diego Padres)

Brooks Robinson (Baseball Hall of Fame: 1983)

Chief Petty Officer Jairo N. Guity

Ian Kennedy (Kansas City Royals)

Randy Johnson (Baseball Hall of Fame: 2015)

U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer - Aviation Ordnanceman Chief Shawn M. Wingle

Sean Doolittle (Washington Nationals)

Johnny Bench (Baseball Hall of Fame: 1989)

Chief Petty Officer Edmundo Brantes

Darren O'Day (Baltimore Orioles)

Tom Seaver (Baseball Hall of Fame: 1992)

Sr. Chief Petty Officer Christopher Beeding

Brad Ziegler (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Rod Carew (Baseball Hall of Fame: 1991)

Chief Petty Officer Genell Cody (United States Navy)

Jonathan Lucroy  (Milwaukee Brewers)

George Brett (Baseball Hall of Fame: 1999)

Senior Chief Petty Officer Carl Thompson (United States Navy)

Nick Swisher (Cleveland Indians)

Tommy Lasorda (Baseball Hall of Fame: 1997)

Chief Hospital Corpsman Garth Sinclair (United States Navy)

Justin Verlander (Detroit Tigers)

Lawrence "Yogi" Berra (Baseball Hall of Fame: 1972)