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The Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Nomination Process is Under Way
[April 15, 2014]

The Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Nomination Process is Under Way


CLEVELAND --(Business Wire)--

Major League Baseball clubs throughout the nation are busy identifying active player and Hall of Fame nominees for the 2014 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award. Electronic nominations went out to all 30 clubs April 1, 2014 with Cleveland Indians Senior VP of Public Affairs and Bob Feller Act of Valor Award board member Bob DiBiasio heading the nomination process.

MLB (News - Alert) organizations are asked to nominate one player and/or a Baseball Hall of Fame member from their respective teams who embody the values, integrity and dedication to our country that Feller embodied. At the age of 23, Cleveland Indians pitcher Bob Feller enlisted in the United States Navy immediately after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the start of the United States' involvement in World War II. He did so despite possessing a deferment with which he could have been exempt from service. Feller served as a Chief Petty Officer until the end of the war before returning to resume his Hall of Fame career with the Indians.



The United States Navy will nominate a Chief Petty Officer with a vetting process conducted through the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy in Washington, D.C. Finalists will be announced and recognized at a July Cleveland Indians game. One deserving MLB player, Baseball Hall of Fame Member and United States Navy Chief Petty officer will be selected and presented with this year's awards at the US Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. on November 5, 2014, coinciding with the week of Veteran's Day.

The 2013 recipients of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award were Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers, Hall of Fame New York Yankee Yogi Berra, and Hospital Corpsman Chief Petty Officer Garth Sinclair. Justin Verlander has provided significant support to our military service personnel and military veterans through several charitable organizations, including his own foundation, Victory for Veterans. Yogi Berra served his country with honor during WW II and was at the battle of Normandy, aboard a rocket boat, providing cover for soldiers landing on the beach. Chief Garth Sinclair received the award for his long distinguished service to our country and his extensive work in the community.


Attendees at the ceremony last November included Mrs. Anne Feller, Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, many distinguished Navy officers and Chief Petty Officers, and the current and previous Secretaries of the Navy Ray Mabus and John Dalton.


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