Leavitt, Frank Simmons

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

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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

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

• No ASN in Classes 1–31 roster import; page originates from Notable Ritchie Boys slides plus Sports Illustrated (June 2022) profile.

Gallery

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Technical record

Field	Imported value
row_source	notable_slides_manual

Timeline

• 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

• 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)
• Notable Ritchie Boys slides