From the Ball Field to the Battlefield: Georgia's Athletes in WWII

With the onset of the Second World War, American life changed drastically. Thousands of young men, still recovering from the perils of The Great Depression, left their dreams and ambitions behind to join the Armed Forces. While these men battled throughout Europe and the Pacific, others back home supported the troops through rationing, buying war bonds, and, for many women, entering the workforce. All of these societal changes greatly affected the world of sports since athletes often made good soldiers. Despite this, American sports, albeit often with depleted rosters and fewer teams, endured and continued to serve as a source of pride for the nation’s sports fans. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared in 1941, “all sports, professional and amateur, should continue during wartime given their inherent morale benefits.”

Some of Georgia’s greatest athletes served in the Armed Forces during World War II. Unfortunately, some of the state’s premier athletes made the ultimate sacrifice and did not survive the war. This exhibit honors these heroes of both the ball field and battle field and will be on display for Veterans Day and through the end of the year.

Please go to the group tours page to schedule your visit!