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Leavitt, Frank S.: Difference between revisions
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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 | '''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 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 == | ||
* | * 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 | ||
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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. | |||
</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] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:31, 16 September 2026
| Frank S. Leavitt | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Man Mountain Dean Frank Simmons Leavitt |
| Born | 30 June 1891 New York City |
| Died | 29 May 1953 |
| Nativity | United States |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Rank | First Sergeant |
{{Needs source}}, or explain disagreements on talk. Baseline import notes: About the data.
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.
Biography[edit | edit 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[edit | edit source]
- No ASN in Classes 1–31 roster import; page originates from Notable Ritchie Boys slides plus Sports Illustrated (June 2022) profile.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Use the Upload for this soldier box below (log in required), or Special:Upload. Profile photos: check Use as profile photo.
Technical record[edit | edit source]
| Field | Imported value |
|---|---|
| row_source | notable_slides_manual |
Timeline[edit | edit source]
- 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.
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Sports Illustrated, June 2022 — “Uncle Slam’s Secret Army” profile of Man Mountain Dean / Frank Leavitt at Camp Ritchie (RB Archive PDF)
- Notable Ritchie Boys slides