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Leavitt, Frank S.: Difference between revisions

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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.


Latest revision as of 19:31, 16 September 2026

Frank S. Leavitt
Frank S. Leavitt
Personal details
Birth nameMan Mountain Dean Frank Simmons Leavitt
Born30 June 1891
New York City
Died29 May 1953
NativityUnited States
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch United States Army
RankFirst Sergeant
Research notes on this page are compiled from the source file and later edits. They may be unverified, incomplete, or incorrect, and should not be treated as established fact. Please correct the article or add sources on the talk page. For class-roster terms, see About the data.
Sources & confidence: Treat Research notes as leads, not settled fact. Prefer NARA, the class roster, newspapers, Find a Grave, or published histories for contested claims. Mark unsourced claims with {{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
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