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On August 6, 1953, future Baseball Hall of Fame slugger Ted Williams returned to the Boston Red Sox from military service in Korea ending his abbreviated season with a .407 batting average. From the article:
"Famous Veteran: Ted Williams
"I was no hero. There were maybe seventy-five pilots in our two squadrons and 99 percent of them did a better job than I did."
Baseball fans know him as The Kid, Teddy Ballgame, Splendid Splinter, and The Thumper, but when he was born in San Diego to Samuel Williams and May Venzor, he was named Teddy Samuel Williams. Williams grew up in Southern California and was taught how to throw a baseball by his uncle when he was eight years old. Williams began receiving offers from the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals when he was still in high school, but his mother signed him up for the San Diego Padres since she believed he was too young to leave home.
At nineteen years old, Williams was taken on by the Boston Red Sox. Then manager Eddie Collins said, "It wasn't hard to find Ted Williams. He stood out like a brown cow in a field of white cows." It didn't take long for Williams to become a sensation, coming in second for MVP in his first year. He continued to play with great success until 1942 when he enlisted after the United States had entered World War II.
Williams opted out of playing baseball in the Navy to sign up as an aviator. After two years of earning high marks during training, he obtained a commission in the Marine Corps. He served until 1946 in the Reserve Aviation Unit. While he spent time as an instructor at Bronson Field, he was instructed to fail a third of each wave of cadets. Opposed to this practice, Willaims said, "If I think a kid is going to make a competent flyer, I won't wash him."
After leaving the military, Williams went straight back to playing baseball. He continued to earn accolades but was called back to the military in 1952 to serve during the Korean War. He flew with the Third Marine Air Wing, 223rd Squadron and was hit multiple times. During a large strike over Kyomipo, Korea, Williams was hit by North Korean forces and safely crash landed. He was uninjured and flew again the following day, but again took enemy fire over Chinnampo. Afterwards, Williams developed pneumonia and an inner ear problem which hampered his flying ability. This bout of illness influenced his decision to leave the Marines in 1953.
Williams flew 39 missions and earned an impressive array of medals and awards. They include three Air Medals for Aerial Flight Operations, Navy Unit commendation, Presidential Medal of Freedom, American and Asian Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and more. He passed away on July 5, 2002."
"Famous Veteran: Ted Williams
"I was no hero. There were maybe seventy-five pilots in our two squadrons and 99 percent of them did a better job than I did."
Baseball fans know him as The Kid, Teddy Ballgame, Splendid Splinter, and The Thumper, but when he was born in San Diego to Samuel Williams and May Venzor, he was named Teddy Samuel Williams. Williams grew up in Southern California and was taught how to throw a baseball by his uncle when he was eight years old. Williams began receiving offers from the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals when he was still in high school, but his mother signed him up for the San Diego Padres since she believed he was too young to leave home.
At nineteen years old, Williams was taken on by the Boston Red Sox. Then manager Eddie Collins said, "It wasn't hard to find Ted Williams. He stood out like a brown cow in a field of white cows." It didn't take long for Williams to become a sensation, coming in second for MVP in his first year. He continued to play with great success until 1942 when he enlisted after the United States had entered World War II.
Williams opted out of playing baseball in the Navy to sign up as an aviator. After two years of earning high marks during training, he obtained a commission in the Marine Corps. He served until 1946 in the Reserve Aviation Unit. While he spent time as an instructor at Bronson Field, he was instructed to fail a third of each wave of cadets. Opposed to this practice, Willaims said, "If I think a kid is going to make a competent flyer, I won't wash him."
After leaving the military, Williams went straight back to playing baseball. He continued to earn accolades but was called back to the military in 1952 to serve during the Korean War. He flew with the Third Marine Air Wing, 223rd Squadron and was hit multiple times. During a large strike over Kyomipo, Korea, Williams was hit by North Korean forces and safely crash landed. He was uninjured and flew again the following day, but again took enemy fire over Chinnampo. Afterwards, Williams developed pneumonia and an inner ear problem which hampered his flying ability. This bout of illness influenced his decision to leave the Marines in 1953.
Williams flew 39 missions and earned an impressive array of medals and awards. They include three Air Medals for Aerial Flight Operations, Navy Unit commendation, Presidential Medal of Freedom, American and Asian Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and more. He passed away on July 5, 2002."
Famous Veteran: Ted Williams
Posted from military.com
WWII World War Two
Korean War
Marines
Military History
Combat
Posted >1 y ago
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Ted Williams Panther Jet Clips
Clips from documentary of Ted Williams flying Marine Panther jets in Korea.
Thank you, my friend SGT (Join to see) for reminding us that on August 6, 1953 USMC WWII and Korean War Combat pilot and American professional baseball player and manager Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams returned to the Boston Red Sox from military service in Korea.
Rest in eternal peace Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams!
Ted Williams Panther Jet Clips
"Clips from documentary of Ted Williams flying Marine Panther jets in Korea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90Ho551aHUk
Images:
1. 1955 Topps #2 Ted Williams Baseball Card.
2. 1958 Topps #1 Ted Williams - Boston Red Sox -Outfield.
3. USMC Captain Theodore S. Williams ID card.
4. 1958 Topps #321 sluggers supreme Ted Kluszewski and Ted Williams.
Background from baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/williams-ted
"Ted Williams always knew what he wanted. Others could debate who was the best all-around player in baseball history. Williams was a hitter. "All I want out of life is that when I walk down the street folks will say, 'There goes the greatest hitter that ever lived,'" Williams said.
He accomplished his goal. Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron may have been better power hitters. You could argue that the graceful Joe DiMaggio or Willie Mays was a better all-around player. If you’re talking about the greatest hitter that ever stepped into the batters box, the discussion begins with the long-time Red Sox left fielder.
Williams wrote the book on hitting--his “The Science Of Hitting” disproves the adage that great hitters can’t teach hitting.
He won six batting titles, but that doesn’t really explain his mastery at the plate. Thanks to an excellent batting eye, Williams led the American League in on-base percentage seven straight years and 12 times overall. His .482 career on-base percentage is the best of all time. And he wasn’t just doing it with walks and singles. Williams led the AL in home runs four times, and his .634 career slugging percentage is second to only Ruth.
He did all of it despite missing most of five seasons due to military service. He learned to fly fighter planes during World War II, working as an instructor from 1943-1945. He was recalled to duty in 1952 during the height of the Korean War, and he served in Korea for more than a year, flying combat missions in a Marine fighter jet.
That missed time explains why the game’s greatest hitter didn’t reach 3,000 hits. After missing the all-star game as a rookie, Williams was an all-star in every non-military interrupted season of the rest of his career. He wasn’t just being grandfathered in. In his final season, 1960, as a 41-year-old, he hit .316 with 29 home runs. His body may have been failing him, but his ability to hit never left.
Williams’ goal was never to be beloved. He took his hitting into the outfield early in his career--he’d practice swings between pitches. Those kind of quirks and some signs of defensive indifference didn’t always endear him to Red Sox’ fans. His relationship with the Boston community wasn’t helped by along-running feud between Williams and much of the Boston media. The newspapermen didn’t make Williams’ life any easier, but Williams didn’t help himself with his legendary stubborness. The same personality that ensured he could remember a pitch that struck him out three months before was not going to forget any slights inflicted by a hostile press.
After his retirement, the memories of his difficulties with fans slowly retreated, while the memories of his amazing career, and his honorable military service became more and more prominent. By the time he threw out the first pitch for the 1999 all-star game, he was revered as a baseball treasure, as the game’s best current players mobbed Williams to touch and talk to the game’s biggest star."
SportsCentury - Ted Williams
From 1943 to 1945, Williams served as a Marine Corps pilot during World War II. Bill James estimates that Williams lost 561 hits, 103 home runs, and 382 RBIs during his first stint in the service.
He was recalled for active duty with the Marines in April 1952. He was sent to Korea where he served as a fighter pilot with future astronaut and senator John Glenn. Williams played just 43 games in 1952 and 1953, as he was in the service. When he returned in August 1953, Williams picked up where he left off. He hit .407 in 37 games. His 13 home runs in 91 at bats is a record for home runs by a hitter with less than 100 at bats.
Notable Achievements:
17-time AL All-Star (1940-1942, 1946-1951 & 1953-1960)
2-time AL MVP (1946 & 1949)
2-time AL Triple Crown (1942 & 1947)
6-time AL Batting Average Leader (1941, 1942, 1947, 1948, 1957 & 1958)
12-time AL On-Base Percentage Leader (1940-1942, 1946-1949, 1951, 1954 & 1956-1958)
9-time AL Slugging Percentage Leader (1941, 1942, 1946-1949, 1951, 1954 & 1957)
10-time AL OPS Leader (1941, 1942, 1946-1949, 1951, 1954, 1957 & 1958)
6-time AL Runs Scored Leader (1940-1941, 1946, 1947 & 1949)
6-time AL Total Bases Leader (1939, 1942, 1946, 1947, 1949 & 1951)
2-time AL Doubles Leader (1948 & 1949)
4-time AL Home Runs Leader (1941, 1942, 1947 & 1949)
4-time AL RBI Leader (1939, 1942, 1947 & 1949)
8-time AL Bases on Balls Leader (1941, 1942, 1946-1949, 1951 & 1954)
20-Home Run Seasons: 16 (1939-1942, 1946-1951, 1954-1958 & 1960)
30-Home Run Seasons: 8 (1939, 1941, 1942, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1951 & 1957)
40-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1949)
100 RBI Seasons: 9 (1939-1942, 1946-1949 & 1951)
100 Runs Scored Seasons: 9 (1939-1942, 1946-1949 & 1951)
Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1966
FYI SPC Woody Bullard SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM SGT Steve McFarland Alan K. TSgt Joe C. SMSgt Lawrence McCarter COL Mikel J. Burroughs SP5 Mark Kuzinski Sgt John H. SGT John " Mac " McConnell 1sg-dan-capriSGT Robert R.CPT Tommy CurtisSGT (Join to see)Col Carl WhickerSGT Mark AndersonCW4 Craig UrbanSFC Jack ChampionA1C Ian Williams
Rest in eternal peace Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams!
Ted Williams Panther Jet Clips
"Clips from documentary of Ted Williams flying Marine Panther jets in Korea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90Ho551aHUk
Images:
1. 1955 Topps #2 Ted Williams Baseball Card.
2. 1958 Topps #1 Ted Williams - Boston Red Sox -Outfield.
3. USMC Captain Theodore S. Williams ID card.
4. 1958 Topps #321 sluggers supreme Ted Kluszewski and Ted Williams.
Background from baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/williams-ted
"Ted Williams always knew what he wanted. Others could debate who was the best all-around player in baseball history. Williams was a hitter. "All I want out of life is that when I walk down the street folks will say, 'There goes the greatest hitter that ever lived,'" Williams said.
He accomplished his goal. Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron may have been better power hitters. You could argue that the graceful Joe DiMaggio or Willie Mays was a better all-around player. If you’re talking about the greatest hitter that ever stepped into the batters box, the discussion begins with the long-time Red Sox left fielder.
Williams wrote the book on hitting--his “The Science Of Hitting” disproves the adage that great hitters can’t teach hitting.
He won six batting titles, but that doesn’t really explain his mastery at the plate. Thanks to an excellent batting eye, Williams led the American League in on-base percentage seven straight years and 12 times overall. His .482 career on-base percentage is the best of all time. And he wasn’t just doing it with walks and singles. Williams led the AL in home runs four times, and his .634 career slugging percentage is second to only Ruth.
He did all of it despite missing most of five seasons due to military service. He learned to fly fighter planes during World War II, working as an instructor from 1943-1945. He was recalled to duty in 1952 during the height of the Korean War, and he served in Korea for more than a year, flying combat missions in a Marine fighter jet.
That missed time explains why the game’s greatest hitter didn’t reach 3,000 hits. After missing the all-star game as a rookie, Williams was an all-star in every non-military interrupted season of the rest of his career. He wasn’t just being grandfathered in. In his final season, 1960, as a 41-year-old, he hit .316 with 29 home runs. His body may have been failing him, but his ability to hit never left.
Williams’ goal was never to be beloved. He took his hitting into the outfield early in his career--he’d practice swings between pitches. Those kind of quirks and some signs of defensive indifference didn’t always endear him to Red Sox’ fans. His relationship with the Boston community wasn’t helped by along-running feud between Williams and much of the Boston media. The newspapermen didn’t make Williams’ life any easier, but Williams didn’t help himself with his legendary stubborness. The same personality that ensured he could remember a pitch that struck him out three months before was not going to forget any slights inflicted by a hostile press.
After his retirement, the memories of his difficulties with fans slowly retreated, while the memories of his amazing career, and his honorable military service became more and more prominent. By the time he threw out the first pitch for the 1999 all-star game, he was revered as a baseball treasure, as the game’s best current players mobbed Williams to touch and talk to the game’s biggest star."
SportsCentury - Ted Williams
From 1943 to 1945, Williams served as a Marine Corps pilot during World War II. Bill James estimates that Williams lost 561 hits, 103 home runs, and 382 RBIs during his first stint in the service.
He was recalled for active duty with the Marines in April 1952. He was sent to Korea where he served as a fighter pilot with future astronaut and senator John Glenn. Williams played just 43 games in 1952 and 1953, as he was in the service. When he returned in August 1953, Williams picked up where he left off. He hit .407 in 37 games. His 13 home runs in 91 at bats is a record for home runs by a hitter with less than 100 at bats.
Notable Achievements:
17-time AL All-Star (1940-1942, 1946-1951 & 1953-1960)
2-time AL MVP (1946 & 1949)
2-time AL Triple Crown (1942 & 1947)
6-time AL Batting Average Leader (1941, 1942, 1947, 1948, 1957 & 1958)
12-time AL On-Base Percentage Leader (1940-1942, 1946-1949, 1951, 1954 & 1956-1958)
9-time AL Slugging Percentage Leader (1941, 1942, 1946-1949, 1951, 1954 & 1957)
10-time AL OPS Leader (1941, 1942, 1946-1949, 1951, 1954, 1957 & 1958)
6-time AL Runs Scored Leader (1940-1941, 1946, 1947 & 1949)
6-time AL Total Bases Leader (1939, 1942, 1946, 1947, 1949 & 1951)
2-time AL Doubles Leader (1948 & 1949)
4-time AL Home Runs Leader (1941, 1942, 1947 & 1949)
4-time AL RBI Leader (1939, 1942, 1947 & 1949)
8-time AL Bases on Balls Leader (1941, 1942, 1946-1949, 1951 & 1954)
20-Home Run Seasons: 16 (1939-1942, 1946-1951, 1954-1958 & 1960)
30-Home Run Seasons: 8 (1939, 1941, 1942, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1951 & 1957)
40-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1949)
100 RBI Seasons: 9 (1939-1942, 1946-1949 & 1951)
100 Runs Scored Seasons: 9 (1939-1942, 1946-1949 & 1951)
Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1966
FYI SPC Woody Bullard SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM SGT Steve McFarland Alan K. TSgt Joe C. SMSgt Lawrence McCarter COL Mikel J. Burroughs SP5 Mark Kuzinski Sgt John H. SGT John " Mac " McConnell 1sg-dan-capriSGT Robert R.CPT Tommy CurtisSGT (Join to see)Col Carl WhickerSGT Mark AndersonCW4 Craig UrbanSFC Jack ChampionA1C Ian Williams
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