Sgt. Slaughter

One of the most recognized figures in professional wrestling has to be Sgt. Slaughter. That granite stare and the protruding jaw that sets his head back some distance are some of the characteristics that made Sgt. Slaughter a household name.

The other thing that has kept the name of Sgt. Slaughter alive is the Hasbro doll, G.I. Joe, which was made from his in ring character. Hasbro identified the charismatic traits of Sgt Slaughter by creating a Sgt. Slaughter doll, the first and only individual to be so recognized among all other G.I. Joe action figures and animated cartoon characters. In Sgt Slaughter's debut year with G.I. Joe, Hasbro not only enjoyed record-breaking sales in that year but also became the most successful company in all toy manufacturing history.

Sgt. Slaughter was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 27, 1948 and was a big kid in his youth. When he became of age to enter the military, he chose the Marines, eventually becoming a Drill Instructor. He gained the respect of the troops he commanded by being himself. He probably had his moments when the real Sgt. Slaughter came into the picture as a rough, tough, straight-shooting son of a gun, but I don't think that was very often that anyone got out of hand under his guidance.

Anybody that has known him in his private life would agree with me that he is a very caring, sharing kind of guy. He gives a lot back to things that help others that can't help themselves.

A large supporter of St. Jude's Children's Hospital annually is a benefit golf outing that draws thousands of people to the event that bears his name. Well known celebrities show up in support of this worthy cause, and many of his "other family from the world of wrestling" show up as well. Some names that you would identify would be Jerry Lawler, Nick Bockwinkel, Shawn Michaels, the Hardy Boys, Undertaker, John Bradshaw Layfield, Lita and Terri Runnels. Other well known figures also include the late Big Boss Man, the late Curt Hennig, Jonathon Coachman and the late Brian Adams, just to name a few.

The championship golf belts, made just for the annual Sgt. Slaughter Golf Tournament

Sgt. Slaughter has been honored by being invited to the White House by Presidents Clinton, Bush, Reagan, and Carter. The ultimate distinction bestowed upon him was having the American Flag flown over our Nation's Capitol in recognition of his achievements. Perhaps the most important factor in Sgt Slaughter's success is his gentle and amiable demeanor with his fans, on camera and off. Sgt Slaughter's popularity among children is legendary, instilling a sense of pride in them and their country.

Despite his hectic schedule and hundreds of thousands of miles traveled annually, Sgt Slaughter devotes much of his spare time helping to raise funds for organizations such as the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, just to name one of the many charitable causes for which he has been given many proclamations. He was named Chairman of the Anti-Drug Campaign and was selected as the Citizen of the Year in his adopted state of Connecticut.

Sgt. Slaughter's most cherished accomplishment was the granting of a visit from Mother Teresa on her visit to New York when she blessed the children of a group home facility. Sgt Slaughter has expended endless hours raising funds to keep that facility open. Leaving the wrestling wars to step into the corporate battlefields as a spokesperson for the multitudes of organizations is a goal of Sgt Slaughter's.

His ultimate dream is to have his televised children's program to allow him to continue to be a positive role model for the youth of America, the future of the United States.

I had the pleasure of meeting Sgt. Slaughter in Las Vegas in 2001 at the Cauliflower Alley Club. When we came face to face, I mentioned that I had been in the wrestling business from 1963 to 1976 and that I really enjoyed his ring character. He said with a smile on his face and a firm hand shake "It sure has changed in the past 25 years, hasn't it?"

My tam is off to this good man, Sgt. “Robert” Slaughter, and I wish him many more years of continued success in whatever he does. He is very deserving of his accomplishments in both wrestling and private life.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers

2003 BWC Hall of Fame Inductee
2004 CAC Hall of Fame Inductee
2006 LWA Hall of Fame Inductee
2007 TCCW Hall of Fame Honoree