Londos, Sonnenberg's rival. Sonnenberg was again recognized as world champion in the Boston area in 1939, after defeating and unmasking The Shadow (Marvin Westenberg) to become the American Wrestling Association champion. He only held the title for 13 days before dropping it to Steve "Crusher" Casey in Boston on March 29, 1939. He continued to wrestle until joining the Navy in 1942. Personal life In July 1932, Sonnenberg was involved in a fatal car accident in Lawrence, Massachusetts when the car he was driving hit the car of policeman Richard Morrissey, who was killed. Sonnenberg was charged with drunk driving and was acquitted in March 1933. Days after his acquittal, Sonnenberg married actress Judith Allen. Four months later, in July 1933, Sonnenberg was reported to have suffered a heart attack in Los Angeles. Allen announced her intention to file for divorce while Sonnenberg was recovering in the hospital. She was said to have been seen on a date with Gary Cooper. The divorce was finalized in September. He was later married to Mildred Micelli, who left him. In 1942, during World War II, Sonnenberg joined the Navy. He was serving there when he died of leukemia at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland on September 12, 1944, at age 46. Wrestling championships and accomplishments American Wrestling Association (Boston) AWA World Heavyweight Championship (2 times) National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Wrestling Championship (original version) (1 time) Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame 2007 Pioneer Era inductee to the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 2012) References External links 1898 births 1944 deaths American football running backs American football tackles American male professional wrestlers American people of German descent United States Navy personnel killed in World War II Buffalo All-Americans players Columbus Tigers players Dartmouth Big Green football players Deaths from cancer in Maryland Deaths from leukemia Detroit Panthers players Detroit Titans football players People from Ontonagon County, Michigan Players of American football from Michigan Pottsville Maroons (Anthracite League) players Professional wrestlers from Michigan Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum Providence Steam Roller players United States Navy sailors