Ted Williams, fighter pilot

Ted Williams during his time in the Marines

Ted Williams, on loan from the Boston Red Sox to the United States Marines, finds himself crash landing his jet 73 years ago today in Korea.

The future Hall of Famer safely lands after enemy fire puts more than a few holes in his F-9 Panther jet flying above the 38th parallel that separates North and South Korea.

Williams ends up landing his jet at 225 mph with damage to one wheel and smoke filling the plane’s cockpit.

Upon landing, such as it is, the jet skids more than 2,000 feet on the runway before Williams can exit the cockpit.

Williams, the All-Star ballplayer, ends up missing nearly all of the 1952 season and most of the ’53 season for Boston so he can fly jets for the Marines.

Ted Williams with wingman John Glenn, left

This is his second tour of duty serving the military, serving both in World War II and the Korean War.

While the 34-year-old Williams walks away from his crash landing 73 years ago today, his plane is not as fortunate.

The crash and subsequent fire totals the jet.

No matter for Williams, who is up bright and early on the morning of Feb. 20, 1953 for another combat mission, the fourth of the 39 he flies during his time in Korea.

Williams flies approximately one-third of those missions with a wingman from Ohio named John Glenn, who a decade later becomes a headliner bigger than even Williams as he becomes the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth.

“It’s a funny thing,” Williams later says, “but, as years go by, I think you appreciate more and more what a great thing it was to be a United States Marine.

“People will tell me what a shame it was I had to go back into the service a second time, but I’m kind of glad I did. Besides, I am a U.S. Marine and I’ll be one till I die.”

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