Victor Hartline
| Date and Place of Birth: | May 23, 1918 Buchanan, MI |
| Date and Place of Death: | January 21, 1945 Luxembourg |
| Baseball Experience: | Semi-Pro |
| Position: | Shortstop/Second Base |
| Rank: | Sergeant |
| Military Unit: | 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division US Army |
| Area Served: | European Theater of Operations |
Victor L. Hartline, the son of Ray and Florence Hartline, was born on May
23, 1918 in Buchanan, Michigan. He
graduated from New Troy High School in 1936, and attended Western State
Teachers College (later Western Michigan University) the following year.
Hartline worked as a utility man for the National Standard Company in
Niles, Michigan, and played for their baseball team. The talented young
infielder became well-known in the local area and also played for
Studebaker and the Knights of Pythias in South Bend. Hartline was due
for a tryout with the Chicago Cubs when military service beckoned.
In 1944, he left behind his wife, Evelyn, and their young son, Ronald
Lee, for service with the Army in Europe. Serving with the 317th
Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, Sgt.
Hartline was killed in action in Luxembourg on January 21, 1945.
Originally buried at the American cemetery at Hamm, Luxembourg, his body was returned to Michigan in June 1949 and reburied at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Buchanan on June 16.
Victor Hartline (middle row, second from right) with the Western State Teachers College Freshman baseball team in 1937
The grave of Victor Hartline at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Buchanan, Michigan
Thanks to Astrid van Erp for help with photos for this biography
Date Added June 4, 2012 Updated July 29, 2017
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