Roberto Clemente - The Marine

A look into the military career of Roberto Clemente with his time in the Marine Corps.

By The Clemente Museum

Roberto Clemente and the MarinesThe Clemente Museum

September 1958, Clemente joins the US Marine Corps Reserve.

Roberto Clemente and the MarinesThe Clemente Museum

During this period Marines visit Forbes Field

Roberto Clemente and MarinesThe Clemente Museum

Helping Clemente sign his paperwork for the Marine Corps.

Roberto Clemente and the MarinesThe Clemente Museum

And taking time for photo ops with the Pirates star.

USMC Platoon 346 of the Third Battalion Class PhotoThe Clemente Museum

Clemente moves to Parris Island, South Carolina

USMC Platoon 346 of the Third Battalion Class PhotoThe Clemente Museum

Joining Platoon 346's Third Recruitment Battalion.

Joe L Brown LetterThe Clemente Museum

He mentions that he has no time to take care of such matters with the workload of military training and asks that Joe does so in his stead.

Joe L Brown EnvelopeThe Clemente Museum

During this time, Roberto sends a letter to Joe L. Brown requesting that he take care of his personal taxes.

Boot CampThe Clemente Museum

Ultimately Clemente serves six months on active duty. Moving between Parris Island, SC and Camp LeJeune, NC.

Boot CampThe Clemente Museum

He even set the boot camp record for pull-ups at the time by doing 54 uninterrupted.

Boot CampThe Clemente Museum

He even refined his baseball career during his time training. Clemente would go on to say that the training he did fixed issues with his back that resulted from a prior automobile accident. This allowed him to take up a heavier bat and build a more aggressive offense.

Roberto Clemente Leave LetterThe Clemente Museum

In 1959 the Pirates request a discharge of Clemente. The Pirates wanted Clemente in Spring Training for the 1959 season and organized an early release. Roberto also wanted three days before Spring Training to visit his parents in Puerto Rico.

Marines YearbookThe Clemente Museum

He served as a Private First Class up until September 1964.

Roberto Clemente HeadshotThe Clemente Museum

In 2003 he was inducted into the USMC Sports Hall of Fame

USMC Platoon 346 of the Third Battalion Class PhotoThe Clemente Museum

And the Puerto Rican Veterans Hall of Fame in 2018.

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