Ritchie Boys Wiki

Leavitt, Frank S.: Difference between revisions

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Create page from Notable Ritchie Boys slide (no ASN in roster)
 
Polish Leavitt biography; drop Notable-slide preamble
 
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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&ndash;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.
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</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 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.
 
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.
 
He died on 29 May 1953.


== Research notes ==
== Research notes ==
* Alias: Man Mountain Dean
* No ASN in Classes 1–31 roster import; page originates from Notable Ritchie Boys slides plus Sports Illustrated (June 2022) profile.
* 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 ==
== Gallery ==
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| row_source || notable_slides_manual
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|}
== 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.
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== 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]
Retrieved from "https://ritchieboys.org/wiki/Leavitt,_Frank_S."