Memorial Day 2010 – Remembering Eddie Grant

Edward Leslie Grant (May 21, 1883 – October 5, 1918) was one of three (3)  Major League Baseball players killed during the Great War.  Grant played third base for the Cleveland Naps (1905), Philadelphia Phillies (1907 – 1910), Cincinnati Reds (1911 – 1913) and the New York Giants (1913 – 1915).  Grant usually batted lead off.

Grant’s nickname was “Harvard Eddie.”  Grant graduated from Harvard in 1905 and practiced law after his baseball retirement.

This Patriot was one of the first men to enlist when the United States entered World War I in April 1917. Grant served as Captain of the 77th Infantry Division.

During the battle of Meuse-Argonne Offensive, all of Grant’s superiors were killed or wounded.  Grant took command of his troops on a four day search for the “Lost Battalion.”  During the search, an exploding shell killed Grant on October 5, 1918.  This Patriot is buried at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in Lorraine, France.

This Patriot died at the age of 35.  “Harvard Eddie’s”  ultimate sacrifice has allowed his fellow countrymen to live free for another 92 years.