Harry Ladner
| Date and Place of Birth: | 1919 Philadelphia, PA |
| Date and Place of Death: | April 18, 1945 Ie Shima, Okinawa |
| Baseball Experience: | Minor League |
| Position: | Umpire |
| Rank: | Staff Sergeant |
| Military Unit: | 77th Infantry Division US Army |
| Area Served: | Pacific Theater of Operations |
Harry B. Ladner, Jr. — a nephew of Judge Grover C. Ladner of the
Orphans’ Court of Philadelphia County, who rose to become Justice of the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania — was an outstanding hockey player at West
Philadelphia High School, and went on to play professional hockey as a
goalie with the West Virginia Comets.
At the age of just 20, he graduated from the George Barr Umpire School
and was first assigned to the Arkansas-Missouri League in 1938. In 1939,
he umpired in the Mountain State League and the Appalachian League, and
was assigned to the Piedmont League for the 1942 season, prior to
entering military service with the Army on March 20.
Staff Sergeant Ladner served with the 77th “Liberty” Infantry Division
in the Pacific Theater, and participated in the invasions of Guam,
Leyte, the Philippine Islands and Okinawa. After 14 months of overseas
duty, he was killed amid stiff resistance from Japanese troops on Ie
Shima, off Okinawa, on April 18, 1945, the same day and close to where
famous war correspondent, Ernie Pyle, lost his life.
Harry Ladner is buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.
Date Added February 1, 2012 July 15, 2013
Baseball's Greatest Sacrifice is associated with Baseball Almanac
Baseball's Greatest Sacrifice is proud to be sponsored by
