While most fans remember Ted Williams as a baseball icon and one of the greatest hitters the game has ever seen, far fewer are aware of his remarkable service in uniform. During World War II, he demonstrated that his talents extended well beyond the diamond — and it was this proven military record that led the Marines to recall him to active duty for the Korean War on January 9, 1952.
Williams originally received a draft deferment during World War II because his mother was financially dependent on him. Once he established a trust fund to support her, however, he voluntarily enlisted in the Navy. He could have spent the war safely playing baseball on behalf of the Navy, but that wasn't his style. Instead, he chose the dangerous path of becoming a Naval Aviator. He earned his wings, received a commission in the Marines, and was awaiting deployment as a replacement pilot when the war came to an end.
His time in training revealed something extraordinary: Williams possessed 20/10 vision — a physical gift that undoubtedly contributed to his legendary ability at the plate. Beyond that, he excelled in his coursework and broke training records. It was this exceptional military aptitude that made him a natural choice when, on January 9, 1952, the Marines called him back to serve in the Korean War. Over the course of his deployment, he flew 37 combat missions in Korea, at one point barely surviving after being forced to crash land a severely damaged aircraft. His bravery earned him multiple awards and medals.
Upon his return to baseball, skeptics questioned whether a 35-year-old who had been away from the sport could recapture his former glory. Williams answered emphatically, slugging 13 home runs and posting a staggering .407 record that season. The man was, in every sense of the word, truly incredible.