Jackie Robinson and Boxer Joe Louis were close friends

Robinson was drafted into the Army shortly after the attack of Pearl Harbor and was given a cavalry company at Fort Riley, Kansas. During World War II, Robinson and Louis both served in the Army.

He made a personal bond with fellow recruit and champion boxer Joe "the Brown Bomber" Louis during basic training. Louis had notably defeated the German Max Schmeling in a contentious match in 1938. American professional boxer Joseph Louis Barrow competed from 1934 until 1951. Louis, often known by his ring name "the Brown Bomber," is recognized as one of the best and most influential fighters in history. From 1937 until his brief retirement in 1949, he held the title of heavyweight world champion. He won 25 straight championship defenses, which is a record across all weight divisions. The longest single reign as champion in boxing history belongs to Louis.

Louis utilized his status to help Jackie and several other black soldiers get entry to the Army's Officer Candidate School after they had been wrongfully denied admission due to their color. Louis and Robinson frequently played golf together in their spare time.