Harry O'Neill

Harry Mink O'Neill (May 8, 1917 – March 6, 1945) was an American professional baseball player who appeared in one game for the Philadelphia Athletics in , as a catcher. O'Neill and Elmer Gedeon were the only two Major League Baseball players killed during World War II.

Collegiate athletics O'Neill distinguished himself as a very gifted college athlete. At Gettysburg College, the 6-foot-3, 205-pounder sometimes called "Porkie," led the school's baseball, football and basketball teams to league championships. After graduation, he was the subject of a bidding war between two American League teams, eventually signing with his hometown Athletics. In a lopsided road loss to the Detroit Tigers on July 23, 1939, O'Neill caught the bottom of the 8th inning, and did not have a plate appearance.

Military service and death in World War II Following his time with the Athletics, O'Neill played in 16 games with the minor league Harrisburg Senators and also played semi-pro basketball and football. He was killed by a sniper at Iwo Jima on March 6, 1945. In 1980, O'Neill was inducted into Gettysburg College's Hall of Athletic Honor for baseball, football and basketball.