The Main Event
1953 – Ted Williams safely crash-lands his damaged Panther jet after flying a combat mission in Korea. The plane was hit by enemy fire.
In 1953, Ted Williams safely crash-landed his damaged Grumman F9F Panther after returning from a combat mission during the Korean War. The jet had been hit by enemy ground fire, disabling critical systems and forcing Williams to bring the aircraft down with limited control. The episode has become one of the most vivid examples of Williams’s uncommon dual legacy: not only one of baseball’s greatest hitters, but also a decorated combat aviator who twice interrupted his Hall of Fame career to serve his country.
Williams’s second tour of military duty came at the height of his baseball powers. After missing nearly five full MLB seasons for World War II service as a naval aviator, he returned to the Boston Red Sox and promptly resumed his dominance at the plate. Yet when the Korean War erupted, Williams again volunteered for active duty, entering the U.S. Marine Corps as a Marine Corps Reserve officer. By the time he deployed to Korea in 1952, he was 33 years old—older than most combat pilots—and already a living sports legend. He nonetheless insisted on flying combat missions rather than accepting a stateside or publicity role.
Assigned to VMF-311, Williams flew the F9F Panther, a straight-wing, carrier-capable jet designed for ground attack and air defense. Marine Panthers frequently flew close-air-support missions, a hazardous task that required low-altitude runs against entrenched enemy positions. These missions exposed pilots to intense anti-aircraft fire from small arms and heavier weapons alike. Williams flew 39 combat missions in Korea, primarily providing support for U.S. Marines and allied troops on the ground.
The 1953 incident occurred during one of these low-level strikes. As Williams rolled in on a target, his Panther was struck by enemy fire. The damage caused a loss of hydraulic pressure and ignited a fire in the aircraft. Williams later recalled seeing flames and smoke in the cockpit and realizing that the jet was barely controllable. Despite the danger, he managed to nurse the aircraft away from the combat zone and toward friendly territory. With systems failing and the fire worsening, he executed a crash landing—bringing the Panther down without catastrophic impact and escaping serious injury. The aircraft was destroyed, but Williams survived, a testament to his composure under pressure and his piloting skill.
Williams’s Korean War service also placed him alongside another future icon: John Glenn. The two flew together in VMF-311, and Glenn—later a U.S. senator and the first American to orbit Earth—served as Williams’s wingman on several missions. Glenn later spoke admiringly of Williams’s discipline and courage, noting that Williams never sought special treatment and was respected by fellow Marines as a pilot first, celebrity second.
By the time Williams left active duty in 1953, he had earned the Air Medal with two Gold Stars for his Korean service, in addition to decorations from World War II. In total, he missed nearly five prime seasons of his baseball career due to military duty—an absence that almost certainly cost him additional records and milestones. Yet Williams never expressed regret. He consistently described military service as an obligation he was proud to fulfill, even when it meant stepping away from a sport in which he excelled like few others.
The 1953 crash-landing episode encapsulates that commitment. It was not a symbolic or ceremonial contribution, but real combat flying under fire. For Ted Williams, greatness was not confined to Fenway Park or the batter’s box. It extended to a damaged jet over Korea, where calm decision-making and courage ensured he lived to return—both to baseball and to history.
Philadelphia Baseball Events for February 19
February 19, 1942 – The Phillies purchased pitcher Sam Nahem from the St. Louis Cardinals, strengthening their pitching staff during the World War II era. Nahem pitched to a 4.94 ERA in 1942 and then missed three seasons to serve in the military and two more for unknown reasons. He returned to pitch for the Phillies in and posted a 7.02 ERA in 28 games.
February 19, 1946 – Philadelphia signed infielder Ralph LaPointe as an amateur free agent. LaPointe reached the majors with the Phillies in 1947 and hit .308/ .362/.355/.717 before being traded to St. Louis for Dick Sisler.
February 19, 1955 – The Phillies signed catcher Jimmie Coker as an amateur free agent. He played in 99 games over four seasons with the Phillies and hit .227.
Around Major League Baseball
February 19, 2018 – Commissioner Rob Manfred announces that he has come to an agreement with the Players Association on pace of play initiatives. Contrary to what he had announced a month earlier, the Commissioner retreats from his threat of imposing a pitch clock unilaterally. However, the two sides agree to place limits on the number of mound visits and to reduce the allotted time between innings.
Philadelphia Baseball Birthdays for February 19
Stan Sperry (born 1914) – A second baseman who appeared for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1936 (batting .135 in 20 games) and later played for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1938 (hitting .273 in 60 games).
Dave Stewart (born 1957) – A right-handed pitcher who earned the nickname “smoke.” Pitched for the Phillies for part of the 1985 season and part of the 1986 season with a 6.48 ERA in 12 relief appearances. Overall, he pitched 18 seasons with five different teams. Led the majors with 20 wins in 1987 and in innings pitched (275.2) in 1988 and again in 1990 with 267 IP. Later became a player agent and general manager after his playing days.
Michael Schwimer (born 1986) – A relief pitcher who was drafted by the Phillies in the 14th round in 2008. Made his Major League debut with the Phillies in 2011 and pitched for them again in 2012. In 47 MLB games with the Phillies, Schwimer had a 4.62 ERA.
