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Sport Figures at War Trivia Quiz

When America goes to war, many well known sport figures go as well.

A multiple-choice quiz by ctownron. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
ctownron

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
253,396

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Very Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
298

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. While serving as a captain for the U.S. Army, Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson suffered what kind of setback during WWI? Hint

Tuberculosis

Trench Foot

Shell Shock

Loss of hearing in one ear

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Question 2 of 10

2. Heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis served in the U.S. Army (1942-45) during WWII. Which statement below is false about his military career? Hint

He defended his title against Jersey Joe Walcott in 1945

He won the Congessional Gold Medal of Honor

He signed with the Liverpool (England) Football Club as a player

He boxed in exhibitions throughout Europe

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. During WWII, Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller served in the U.S. Navy on the battleship USS Alabama. What was his primary job on that ship? Hint

He was chief of an anti-aircraft gun crew

He was a sonar technician

He was a corpsman in the ship's hospital

He was a "Kingfisher" reconnaissance plane pilot

4. Pittsburgh Steeler running back Rocky Bleier, fought in the Vietnam war for the U.S. Army and was wounded in both legs. Name the 1980 film starring Robert Urich that dramatized Bleier's struggle to recover from his wounds? Hint

"Man of Steel"

"Fighting Back"

"Back from Vietnam"

"The Fighting Steeler"

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Question 5 of 10

5. Baseball Hall of Fame player Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox served as a pilot the U.S. Armed Forces in both WWII and the Korean War. Which branch of the military did he serve? Hint

United States Marine Corps

United States Navy

United States Army Air Corps

United States Air Force

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Question 6 of 10

6. Emlen Tunnell was a defensive back for the N.Y. Giants in the 1950s, and was the first African-American player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Which branch of the military did he serve in WWII? Hint

United States Army

United States Coast Guard

United States Navy

United States Marine Corps

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Baseball legend Ty Cobb served with the U.S. Army in WWI. What type of Army unit did he serve with? Hint

Observation Balloon Unit

Chemical Warfare Unit

Artillery Unit

Cavalry Unit

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Question 8 of 10

8. Green Bay Packer and Hall of Fame running back Tony Canadeo served in the U.S. Army during WWII. What was his nickname while attending college? Hint

The Chicago Cannonball

The Colorado Cannon

The Galloping Ghost

The Gray Ghost

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. N.Y. Yankee great Joe DiMaggio rose to which rank while serving with the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII? Hint

Captain

First Lieutenant

Second Lieutenant

Sergeant

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Question 10 of 10

10. In 1964, Dallas Cowboy and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, and then served with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Which year did he join the Cowboys? Hint

1968

1970

1971

1969

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. While serving as a captain for the U.S. Army, Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson suffered what kind of setback during WWI?

Answer: Tuberculosis

During a training exercise, Mathewson was accidentally gassed, consequently developing tuberculosis which was the cause of his death in 1925.

2. Heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis served in the U.S. Army (1942-45) during WWII. Which statement below is false about his military career?

Answer: He defended his title against Jersey Joe Walcott in 1945

Louis didn't fight Walcott until 1947. He did box in exhibitions and was awarded the Congessional Gold Medal of Honor (not to be confused with the Congressional Medal of Honor) for his services during the war. As a promotional stunt, he signed with the Liverpool Football Club in 1944.

3. During WWII, Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller served in the U.S. Navy on the battleship USS Alabama. What was his primary job on that ship?

Answer: He was chief of an anti-aircraft gun crew

When he retired in 1956, "Rapid Robert" Feller was the Cleveland Indians most winningest pitcher with 266 wins. He would have won many more games had it not been for the four seasons he missed during WWII.

Answer: "Fighting Back"

"Fighting Back" also starred Art Carney who played Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney. Bleier recoved from his wounds and played in the first four Steeler Super Bowl victories.

5. Baseball Hall of Fame player Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox served as a pilot the U.S. Armed Forces in both WWII and the Korean War. Which branch of the military did he serve?

Answer: United States Marine Corps

"Teddy Ballgame", Williams was a flight instructor in WWII and flew 38 combat missions in Korea. He missed 5 years of his baseball career due to military service.

Answer: United States Coast Guard

A broken neck suffered while playing at the University of Toledo was severe enough that both the Army and Navy rejected his enlistment. Following WWII, he returned to college at the University of Iowa before joining the Giants in 1948.

7. Baseball legend Ty Cobb served with the U.S. Army in WWI. What type of Army unit did he serve with?

Answer: Chemical Warfare Unit

Cobb and fellow baseball great Christy Mathewson served in the same Chemical Warfare Unit, where Mathewson was accidentally gassed and later developed the tuberculosis that caused his death in 1925.

8. Green Bay Packer and Hall of Fame running back Tony Canadeo served in the U.S. Army during WWII. What was his nickname while attending college?

Answer: The Gray Ghost

Tony "The Gray Ghost" Canadeo was born in Chicago but graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. Red Grange is "The Galloping Ghost".

9. N.Y. Yankee great Joe DiMaggio rose to which rank while serving with the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII?

Answer: Sergeant

DiMaggio was stationed in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, and was a physical education instructor during his 31-month tour of duty.

Answer: 1969

Staubach, the 1964 Heisman Trophy winner, was the Cowboys' 10th round selection in the 1964 NFL Draft, but due to his military committment, could not join the Cowboys until 1969.

Source: Author ctownron

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