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