Leavitt, Frank Simmons - Revision history

Admin: Expand documented full name in infobox and lead

2026-09-25T03:50:22Z

Expand documented full name in infobox and lead

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:50, 25 September 2026
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	\|surname=Leavitt		\|surname=Leavitt
	\|first=Frank		\|first=Frank
	\|middle=S.		\|middle=Simmons
	\|alias=Man Mountain Dean; Frank Simmons Leavitt		\|alias=Man Mountain Dean; Frank Simmons Leavitt
	\|birth_year=1891		\|birth_year=1891
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	<div class="soldier-lead">		<div class="soldier-lead">
	'''Frank S. Leavitt''' (30 June 1891 – 29 May 1953), known as '''Man Mountain Dean''', was a professional wrestler and Camp Ritchie hand-to-hand combat instructor who trained Ritchie Boys before overseas deployment.		'''Frank Simmons Leavitt''' (30 June 1891 – 29 May 1953), known as '''Man Mountain Dean''', was a professional wrestler and Camp Ritchie hand-to-hand combat instructor who trained Ritchie Boys before overseas deployment.
	</div>		</div>

Admin: Admin moved page Leavitt, Frank S. to Leavitt, Frank Simmons without leaving a redirect: Expand documented middle name: Simmons

2026-09-25T03:50:19Z

Admin moved page Leavitt, Frank S. to Leavitt, Frank Simmons without leaving a redirect: Expand documented middle name: Simmons

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:50, 25 September 2026
(No difference)

Admin: Biography enrichment from Wikipedia (merged with existing sources)

2026-09-25T03:38:55Z

Biography enrichment from Wikipedia (merged with existing sources)

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:38, 25 September 2026
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	\|nativity=United States		\|nativity=United States
	\|birth_place=New York City		\|birth_place=New York City
			\|death_place=Norcross, Georgia
	}}		}}

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	== Biography ==		== Biography ==
	Frank Simmons Leavitt was born on 30 June 1891 in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City. Exceptionally large from childhood, he ~~enlisted in~~ the Army ~~before World War I—early~~ age records are cloudy—and served multiple hitches under Gen. John J. Pershing, including Mexican-border ~~duty~~ and combat in France.		Frank Simmons Leavitt was born on 30 June 1891 in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, the son of John McKenney Leavitt and Henrietta N. (Decker) Leavitt. Exceptionally large and strong from childhood, he lied about his age to join the U.S. Army at about fourteen—early age records are cloudy—and served multiple hitches under Gen. John J. Pershing, including duty on the Mexican border and combat in France during World War I. He began wrestling in 1914 as "Soldier Leavitt."

	After the war he played ~~college~~ and professional ~~football~~, ~~then became~~ a ~~celebrated professional wrestler~~, ~~first as Soldier Leavitt~~ and later as ~~Man~~ Mountain ~~Dean~~, and ~~also worked~~ in ~~films and stunts~~. In ~~World War II~~ he ~~returned to uniform as~~ a ~~first sergeant and hand~~-to~~-hand combat instructor at Camp Ritchie~~. ~~Ritchie Boys remembered~~ the ~~shorn~~, ~~320-pound celebrity teaching close combat~~ and ~~American slang before overseas deployment~~.		After the war Leavitt played guard and center for the New York Brickley Giants of the National Football League in 1921, but he concentrated on professional wrestling, performing as "Hell's Kitchen Bill-Bill," a name suggested by Damon Runyon, and later as "Stone Mountain." After an injury he joined the Miami Beach police in 1925 and the next year became a Miami traffic officer, a fixture at East Flagler Street and 2nd Avenue whom the city sent on summer publicity tours; there he met his wife and manager, Doris Dean Cooper. He was dismissed from the force in 1930 for visiting Al Capone's home on Palm Island. In 1932, at his wife's suggestion, he became "Man Mountain Dean," a bearded, 300-pound-plus figure who wrestled 504 professional bouts for fees of up to $1,500. A tour of Germany led to work as Charles Laughton's stunt double in ''The Private Life of Henry VIII'', the first of thirteen films, five of them playing himself, among them the 1938 Joe E. Brown comedy ''The Gladiator''. He briefly ran for the Georgia House of Representatives in 1938 and retired from the ring in 1940 to a farm near Norcross, Georgia.

	He died on 29 May 1953.		In World War II Leavitt returned to the Army despite his age and served as first sergeant of the Military Intelligence Training Center at Camp Ritchie, where he taught hand-to-hand combat. Ritchie Boys remembered the shorn, 320-pound celebrity teaching close combat and American slang before overseas deployment. On a December 1944 broadcast of the radio program ''It Pays to Be Ignorant'' he gave his weight as 280 pounds. He retired as a master sergeant and afterward studied journalism at the University of Georgia.

			Leavitt died of a heart attack at his home in Norcross, Georgia, on 29 May 1953, aged 61, and was buried in Marietta National Cemetery under a military marker bearing his birth name and the birth year 1889, probably the date he gave when he first enlisted.

	== Research notes ==		== Research notes ==
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	<div class="soldier-timeline-body">		<div class="soldier-timeline-body">
	* 30 June 1891 — Born in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City.		* 30 June 1891 — Born in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City.
			* 1914 — Began wrestling as "Soldier Leavitt."
	* 1920s–1930s — Football; professional wrestling as Man Mountain Dean; film work.		* 1920s–1930s — Football; professional wrestling as Man Mountain Dean; film work.
	* 29 May 1953 — Died.		* 1921 — Played for the New York Brickley Giants (NFL).
			* 1925 — 1930 Police officer in Miami Beach and Miami.
			* 1932 — Adopted the ring name Man Mountain Dean.
			* 1940 — Retired from wrestling to a farm near Norcross, Georgia.
			* 29 May 1953 — Died in Norcross, Georgia; buried in Marietta National Cemetery.
	* Pre–World War I / WWI — Multiple Army enlistments under Pershing; France.		* Pre–World War I / WWI — Multiple Army enlistments under Pershing; France.
	* WWII — First sergeant / hand-to-hand instructor, Camp Ritchie.		* WWII — First sergeant / hand-to-hand instructor, Camp Ritchie.

Admin: Sort Timeline bullets chronologically

2026-09-23T04:20:24Z

Sort Timeline bullets chronologically

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:20, 23 September 2026
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	<div class="soldier-timeline-body">		<div class="soldier-timeline-body">
	* 30 June 1891 — Born in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City.		* 30 June 1891 — Born in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City.
			* 1920s–1930s — Football; professional wrestling as Man Mountain Dean; film work.
			* 29 May 1953 — Died.
	* Pre–World War I / WWI — Multiple Army enlistments under Pershing; France.		* Pre–World War I / WWI — Multiple Army enlistments under Pershing; France.
	* 1920s–1930s — Football; professional wrestling as Man Mountain Dean; film work.
	* WWII — First sergeant / hand-to-hand instructor, Camp Ritchie.		* WWII — First sergeant / hand-to-hand instructor, Camp Ritchie.
	* 29 May 1953 — Died.
	</div>		</div>
	</div><div style="clear: both;"></div>		</div><div style="clear: both;"></div>

Admin: Sources: add Wikipedia (Man Mountain Dean) from Camp Ritchie Notables 2018 list

2026-09-20T18:59:01Z

Sources: add Wikipedia (Man Mountain Dean) from Camp Ritchie Notables 2018 list

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:59, 20 September 2026
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	== Sources ==		== Sources ==
			* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_Mountain_Dean Man Mountain Dean — Wikipedia]
	* Sports Illustrated, June 2022 — “Uncle Slam’s Secret Army” profile of Man Mountain Dean / Frank Leavitt at Camp Ritchie (RB Archive PDF)		* Sports Illustrated, June 2022 — “Uncle Slam’s Secret Army” profile of Man Mountain Dean / Frank Leavitt at Camp Ritchie (RB Archive PDF)
	* [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EWiegWT3PMxAFXS7MZLxFFLMZg0265GK5_Axp_XnzWM Notable Ritchie Boys slides]		* [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EWiegWT3PMxAFXS7MZLxFFLMZg0265GK5_Axp_XnzWM Notable Ritchie Boys slides]

Admin: Polish Leavitt biography; drop Notable-slide preamble

2026-09-16T19:31:21Z

Polish Leavitt biography; drop Notable-slide preamble

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:31, 16 September 2026
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	== Biography ==		== Biography ==
	~~'''~~Frank S. Leavitt~~''' — First Sergeant; known as "Man Mountain Dean"~~. ~~Summary~~ from ~~a Notable Ritchie Boys slide ([https://docs~~.~~google~~.~~com/presentation/d/1EWiegWT3PMxAFXS7MZLxFFLMZg0265GK5_Axp_XnzWM source])~~.		Frank Simmons Leavitt was born on 30 June 1891 in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City. Exceptionally large from childhood, he enlisted in the Army before World War I—early age records are cloudy—and served multiple hitches under Gen. John J. Pershing, including Mexican-border duty and combat in France.

	Frank Simmons Leavitt was born on 30 June 1891 in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City. Exceptionally large from childhood, he entered the Army before World War I (after arranging a Bowery stranger to sign enlistment papers in place of his father, which clouds some early age records). He served multiple hitchs under Gen. John J. Pershing, including Mexican-border duty and combat in France.		After the war he played college and professional football, then became a celebrated professional wrestler, first as Soldier Leavitt and later as Man Mountain Dean, and also worked in films and stunts. In World War II he returned to uniform as a first sergeant and hand-to-hand combat instructor at Camp Ritchie. Ritchie Boys remembered the shorn, 320-pound celebrity teaching close combat and American slang before overseas deployment.

	After the war he played college and professional football, then became a celebrated professional ~~wrestler—first~~ as Soldier Leavitt, later as Man Mountain ~~Dean—and appeared~~ in films and ~~stunt work~~. In World War II he returned to uniform as a first sergeant and hand-to-hand combat instructor at Camp Ritchie~~, where~~ Ritchie Boys remembered the shorn, 320-pound celebrity teaching close combat and American slang.

	He died on 29 May 1953.		He died on 29 May 1953.

	== Research notes ==		== Research notes ==
	* Alias: Man Mountain Dean
	* Rank listed as First Sergeant on Notable Ritchie Boys slide
	* Instructor status unclear from the slide (unlike Rex Applegate, who is explicitly labeled Instructor)
	* Listed on Notable Ritchie Boys slides; no ASN found in the class roster import
	* Portrait and summary from Notable Ritchie Boys slides ( )
	* No ASN in Classes 1–31 roster import; page originates from Notable Ritchie Boys slides plus Sports Illustrated (June 2022) profile.		* No ASN in Classes 1–31 roster import; page originates from Notable Ritchie Boys slides plus Sports Illustrated (June 2022) profile.

Admin: RB Archive enrichment: Full chronological regen from SI; DOB/DOD; NYC birthplace

2026-09-16T18:43:37Z

RB Archive enrichment: Full chronological regen from SI; DOB/DOD; NYC birthplace

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:43, 16 September 2026
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	\|first=Frank		\|first=Frank
	\|middle=S.		\|middle=S.
	\|alias=Man Mountain Dean		\|alias=Man Mountain Dean; Frank Simmons Leavitt
	\|birth_year=1891		\|birth_year=1891
	\|death_year=1953		\|death_year=1953
	\|class_rank=First Sergeant		\|class_rank=First Sergeant
	\|photo=Leavitt, Frank S.jpg		\|photo=Leavitt, Frank S.jpg
			\|birth_date=30 June 1891
			\|death_date=29 May 1953
			\|rank_final=First Sergeant
			\|nativity=United States
			\|birth_place=New York City
	}}		}}

	<div class="soldier-lead">		<div class="soldier-lead">
	'''Frank S. Leavitt''' (1891~~–~~1953), known as '''Man Mountain Dean''', was a ~~United States Army First Sergeant associated with [[~~Camp Ritchie~~]], Maryland~~.		'''Frank S. Leavitt''' (30 June 1891 – 29 May 1953), known as '''Man Mountain Dean''', was a professional wrestler and Camp Ritchie hand-to-hand combat instructor who trained Ritchie Boys before overseas deployment.
	</div>		</div>

	== Biography ==		== Biography ==
	'''Frank S. Leavitt''' — First Sergeant; known as "Man Mountain Dean". Summary from a Notable Ritchie Boys slide ([https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EWiegWT3PMxAFXS7MZLxFFLMZg0265GK5_Axp_XnzWM source]).		'''Frank S. Leavitt''' — First Sergeant; known as "Man Mountain Dean". Summary from a Notable Ritchie Boys slide ([https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EWiegWT3PMxAFXS7MZLxFFLMZg0265GK5_Axp_XnzWM source]).

			Frank Simmons Leavitt was born on 30 June 1891 in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City. Exceptionally large from childhood, he entered the Army before World War I (after arranging a Bowery stranger to sign enlistment papers in place of his father, which clouds some early age records). He served multiple hitchs under Gen. John J. Pershing, including Mexican-border duty and combat in France.

			After the war he played college and professional football, then became a celebrated professional wrestler—first as Soldier Leavitt, later as Man Mountain Dean—and appeared in films and stunt work. In World War II he returned to uniform as a first sergeant and hand-to-hand combat instructor at Camp Ritchie, where Ritchie Boys remembered the shorn, 320-pound celebrity teaching close combat and American slang.

			He died on 29 May 1953.

	== Research notes ==		== Research notes ==
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	* Listed on Notable Ritchie Boys slides; no ASN found in the class roster import		* Listed on Notable Ritchie Boys slides; no ASN found in the class roster import
	* Portrait and summary from Notable Ritchie Boys slides ( )		* Portrait and summary from Notable Ritchie Boys slides ( )
			* No ASN in Classes 1–31 roster import; page originates from Notable Ritchie Boys slides plus Sports Illustrated (June 2022) profile.

	== Gallery ==		== Gallery ==
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	\| row_source \|\| notable_slides_manual		\| row_source \|\| notable_slides_manual
	\|}		\|}

			== Timeline ==
			<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed soldier-timeline">
			<div class="soldier-timeline-body">
			* 30 June 1891 — Born in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City.
			* Pre–World War I / WWI — Multiple Army enlistments under Pershing; France.
			* 1920s–1930s — Football; professional wrestling as Man Mountain Dean; film work.
			* WWII — First sergeant / hand-to-hand instructor, Camp Ritchie.
			* 29 May 1953 — Died.
			</div>
			</div><div style="clear: both;"></div>

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==
			* Sports Illustrated, June 2022 — “Uncle Slam’s Secret Army” profile of Man Mountain Dean / Frank Leavitt at Camp Ritchie (RB Archive PDF)
	* [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EWiegWT3PMxAFXS7MZLxFFLMZg0265GK5_Axp_XnzWM Notable Ritchie Boys slides]		* [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EWiegWT3PMxAFXS7MZLxFFLMZg0265GK5_Axp_XnzWM Notable Ritchie Boys slides]

Admin: Remove Research notes URLs (review list retained offline)

2026-09-11T04:24:28Z

Remove Research notes URLs (review list retained offline)

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:24, 11 September 2026
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	* Instructor status unclear from the slide (unlike Rex Applegate, who is explicitly labeled Instructor)		* Instructor status unclear from the slide (unlike Rex Applegate, who is explicitly labeled Instructor)
	* Listed on Notable Ritchie Boys slides; no ASN found in the class roster import		* Listed on Notable Ritchie Boys slides; no ASN found in the class roster import
	* Portrait and summary from Notable Ritchie Boys slides (~~[https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EWiegWT3PMxAFXS7MZLxFFLMZg0265GK5_Axp_XnzWM source]~~).		* Portrait and summary from Notable Ritchie Boys slides ( )

	== Gallery ==		== Gallery ==

Admin: Create page from Notable Ritchie Boys slide (no ASN in roster)

2026-08-22T02:25:17Z

Create page from Notable Ritchie Boys slide (no ASN in roster)

New page

{{Soldier
|lede_on_page=1
|surname=Leavitt
|first=Frank
|middle=S.
|alias=Man Mountain Dean
|birth_year=1891
|death_year=1953
|class_rank=First Sergeant
|photo=Leavitt, Frank S.jpg
}}

<div class="soldier-lead">
'''Frank S. Leavitt''' (1891–1953), known as '''Man Mountain Dean''', was a United States Army First Sergeant associated with [[Camp Ritchie]], Maryland.
</div>

== Biography ==
'''Frank S. Leavitt''' — First Sergeant; known as "Man Mountain Dean". Summary from a Notable Ritchie Boys slide ([https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EWiegWT3PMxAFXS7MZLxFFLMZg0265GK5_Axp_XnzWM source]).

== Research notes ==
* Alias: Man Mountain Dean
* Rank listed as First Sergeant on Notable Ritchie Boys slide
* Instructor status unclear from the slide (unlike Rex Applegate, who is explicitly labeled Instructor)
* Listed on Notable Ritchie Boys slides; no ASN found in the class roster import
* Portrait and summary from Notable Ritchie Boys slides ([https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EWiegWT3PMxAFXS7MZLxFFLMZg0265GK5_Axp_XnzWM source]).

== Gallery ==
Use the '''Upload for this soldier''' box below (log in required), or [[Special:Upload]]. Profile photos: check '''Use as profile photo'''.

== Technical record ==
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
! Field !! Imported value
|-
| row_source || notable_slides_manual
|}

== Sources ==
* [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EWiegWT3PMxAFXS7MZLxFFLMZg0265GK5_Axp_XnzWM Notable Ritchie Boys slides]