 The United States entered World War II with the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7 , 1941 . Feller heard about the bombing while returning from a visit to his terminally ill father at Des Moines to Chicago where he was to sign a new Indians contract . Two days later , he volunteered for the United States Navy , becoming the first American professional athlete to enlist . Originally he tried to enlist as a fighter pilot but failed hearing tests . Feller attended basic training at Norfolk Naval Base and served as a physical fitness instructor there . He also pitched in baseball games hosted by the military . Although he had received a military exemption owing to his father 's failing health , he wanted to serve in combat missions . Feller said , " I told them I wanted to ... get into combat ; wanted to do something besides standing around handing out balls and bats and making ball fields out of coral reefs . " Feller was assigned to the USS Alabama ; he had hoped to serve on the USS Iowa , but nearly all servicemen from Iowa had requested a place on that ship , and Feller was not selected . 
