American Icons at War, Korea 1953

The war of aggression waged by North Korea and its communist allies (1950-1953) severely tested the resolve of the free world and the viability of the United Nations as an enforcer of international law. Fought in the aftermath of the most destructive war in human history and under the shadow of nuclear weapons, the Korean War evolved into a lengthy and indecisive war of attrition that would ultimately end in stalemate. Weary of war and complacent in victory over the Axis Powers, the United States and its allies were ill prepared to confront the massive onslaught from North Korea. Consequently, much of the combat burden fell to WWII veterans and reservists with key skills and experience that were in short supply. Abruptly extracted from civilian careers or peacetime assignments, these “retreads” were thrown into the breach, often equipped with weapons that were obsolete or inadequate. America’s air power in the Far East played a pivotal role in reversing the fortunes of war in Korea and U.S. Marine aviators were in the thick of it, providing air cover and close air support for their brethren on the ground.

Although they had already done their part as Naval Aviators in WWII, two of the most iconic figures of America’s “Greatest Generation” were among those who answered the call. Through an improbable twist of fate and/or bureaucratic coincidence, the destinies of Ted Williams, the perennial All Star of Major League Baseball and John Glenn, the future astronaut and first American to orbit the Earth would come together in a most unlikely venue. They literally fought side by side in the hostile and unforgiving skies over the Korean Peninsula, putting their lives on the line in a life and death struggle to hold the line against communist aggression.

Ted Williams is best known for his legendary exploits with the Boston Red Sox. He is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest baseball players of all time. During his long and storied career with the Red Sox, he had an exemplary record as a power hitter. His remarkable accomplishments in baseball would have undoubtedly been even greater, but for the fact that his career was twice interrupted by wartime military service. During WWII, Ted Williams took a time-out from The National Pastime to serve his country as a naval aviator. In May 1942, the American League Triple Crown left fielder enlisted in the U.S. Navy and began training as an aviation cadet. During flight training, he proved to be an exceptionally gifted aviator, quickly mastering key skills and qualifying as a fighter pilot.1 In May 1944, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and served as a flight instructor in the F4U Corsair at NAS Pensacola, Florida. He was then deployed to the Pacific, but the war ended before his unit saw action in combat. Williams was released from active duty in January 1946 but remained . . .