Norman Triplett
| Date and Place of Birth: | October 18, 1892 La Mott, PA |
| Date and Place of Death: | October 20, 1918 France |
| Baseball Experience: | Negro League |
| Position: | Outfield |
| Rank: | Private |
| Military Unit: | 803rd Pioneer Infantry US Army |
| Area Served: | France |
Norman Triplett was born on October 18, 1892 in La Mott,
Pennsylvania, just north of Philadelphia. The Triplett family was one of
the earliest families to settle in the district in the nineteenth
century. La Mott was home to Camp William Penn, a Union Army training
camp from 1863 to 1865, notable for being the first training ground
dedicated to African American troops who enlisted in the United States
Army during the American Civil War. The son of Wallace and Martha
Triplett, Norman and his two brothers played amateur and semi-pro
baseball for the La Mott Stars during the early 20th century.
Norman Triplett was primarily a pitcher but when he joined the
professional Negro Hilldale Athletic Club in 1917, he played
centerfield. Triplett made two appearances for Hilldale, once against
the Cuban Stars and once against the Pennsylvania Red Caps, batting 2
for 7 (.286). By the end of July he was back with the La Mott team.
Triplett entered military service with the army on August 4, 1918. After
training he was sent overseas as a private with the 803rd Pioneer
Infantry to Liverpool, England then to Brest, France. Whilst in France,
the 25-year-old died of pneumonia on October 20, 1918. He was originally
buried in France, but his body was returned to the United States in 1921
and now rests at Fairview Cemetery, near Willow Grove,
Pennsylvania.
In December 1919, the first meeting was held of the Norman Triplett
Post, No.451, of the American Legion in La Mott.
The grave of Norman Triplett at Fairview Cemetery, near Willow Grove, Pennsylvania
Date Added July 18, 2012 Updated August 8, 2013
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