Mike Feduniak
Ballplayers Wounded in Combat
| Date and Place of Birth: | July 1, 1920 Akron, OH |
| Date and Place of Death: | September 25, 2012 FL |
| Baseball Experience: | Minor League |
| Position: | Catcher |
| Rank: | First Lieutenant |
| Military Unit: | 315th Troop Carrier Squadron, 443rd Troop Carrier Group US Army Air Force |
| Area Served: | China-Burma-India |
Michael Feduniak, the son of Theordore and Anna Feduniak, was born on
July 1, 1920, in Akron, Ohio. He graduated from the Akron Garfield High
School in 1938, and was a standout athlete at Kent State University,
lettering in football, baseball and basketball. He received offers from
the Cubs, Senators, Indians and Red Sox, as well as offers to play
football with the Steelers and Lions. The 21-year-old catcher signed
with the Boston Red Sox, playing for the Bluefield Blue-Grays of the
Class C Mountain State League in 1942. Appearing in 38 games, he batted
.264.
Feduniak entered military service in October 1942, and graduated as a
pilot with the rank of second lieutenant in April 1944. He joined the
315th Troop Carrier Squadron of the 443rd Troop Carrier Group in
November 1944, in the China-Burma-India Theater, and became a flight
leader after seven months. Stationed at Ledo, Dinjan, Chihkiang, and
Hankow, he flew the Curtiss C-46 Commando transport plane over the
“Hump” until the Japanese surrender. During this time he was shot down
and survived the jungles of India. He earned two Distinguished Flying
Crosses, three Air Medals, a Purple Heart and a recommendation for a
Congressional Medal of Honor. He returned to the United States as a
first lieutenant in December 1945.
Feduniak was 25 years old when he returned to professional baseball in
1946. He played 13 games with the Leaksville-Draper-Spray Triplets of
the Class C Carolina League and 40 games with the Mooresville Moors of
the Class D North Carolina State League. In 1947, he played 122 games
with the West Palm Beach Indians of the Class C Florida International
League, and batted .240. He hit .253 with the New Castle Chiefs of the
Class C Middle Atlantic League in 1948, and played for Pampa and Abilene
of the Class C West Texas-New Mexico League in 1949.
Following baseball, Feduniak taught and coached at Canal Fulton High
School, Ohio, Coventry High School, Ohio, Hower Vocational High School
in Akron, and then Hialeah High School, Miami, Florida, for thirty two
years, where he was instrumental in bringing the aviation program to the
school.
Mike Feduniak, who was inducted to the Athletic Hall of Fame at Kent
State University, passed away on September 25, 2012, in Florida. He was
92 years old and is buried at South Florida National Cemetery in Lake
Worth, Florida.
Date Added February 1, 2018
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