The Wingmen, page 31
55 “took off for high” Author interview with Rylen B. Rudy, February 5, 2021.
55 “a bit pale but” Ed Hyde, “Ted Williams, Marine,” Sport, July 1953.
55 “Glad to meet you” Frank Graham, “Graham’s Corner,” New York Journal-American, March 26, 1953.
55 “We were ready to haul out” Charles Harbin Jr., “Owensboro’s Dan Moody Greets Ted Williams at Site of Crash,” Owensboro (KY) Messenger-Inquirer, February 25, 1953.
56 “Why’d the colonel hand you” Leigh Montville, Ted Williams: The Biography of an American Hero (New York: Broadway Books, 2004), p. 166.
56 “I just got my ass blown” Leigh Montville, Ted Williams: The Biography of an American Hero (New York: Broadway Books, 2004), p. 166.
56 “Ted Williams had a deal” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, February 16, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 23, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
56 “Mommy, Mommy, there’s” “Mrs. Williams Is Glad,” New York Daily News, February 17, 1953.
57 “lost visual reference” Ted Williams with John Underwood, My Turn at Bat (New York: A Fireside Book Published by Simon & Schuster, 1988), p. 179.
57 “as we were going down” Henry Berry, Hey, Mac, Where Ya Been? (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1988), p. 296.
57 “I followed the guy in front” Ted Williams as told to John M. Ross, “Where Do We Go from Here?” American Weekly, August 23, 1953.
57 “for a comparatively green pilot” Ed Hymoff, “Williams Was ‘Scared Stiff’ During Crash,” Cedar Rapids Gazette, February 17, 1953.
57 “Captain Ted Williams became the” MAG-33 Type-B Report (Command Diary), 1 to 28 February 1953.
58 “THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT” MAG-33 Type-B Report (Command Diary), 1 to 28 February 1953.
58 “Pretty easy hop” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, February 27, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 23, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
58 “Just want to keep” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, March 3, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 23, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
59 “It gives me the biggest” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, March 15, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 23, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
59 “my first genuine People’s” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, March 17, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 23, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
59 “more willing to take” Dr. Julian Craigmiles as told to Bill Knight, “The Man Inside the Space Suit,” Longview (TX) Daily News, January 6, 1962.
60 “You didn’t want to be on Glenn’s” Author interviews with Rylen B. Rudy, February 5, 2021, and December 21, 2021.
60 “was rather intent on” The John H. Glenn, Jr., Oral History Project, “Oral History Interview 15,” Brien R. Williams, March 23, 1998.
61 “I told John that the” Frank Van Riper, Glenn: The Astronaut Who Would Be President (New York: Empire Books, 1983), p. 105.
61 “this no-rank-in-the” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, March 3, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 23, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
61 “The flight leader always” Frank Van Riper, Glenn: The Astronaut Who Would Be President (New York: Empire Books, 1983), pp. 105−106.
61 “I see that son of a” Frank Van Riper, Glenn: The Astronaut Who Would Be President (New York: Empire Books, 1983), p. 106.
62 “Boy, those anti-aircraft” Michael Kramer, “John Glenn: The Right Stuff?,” New York, January 31, 1983.
62 “I’m going to ease out” Jeffrey Kluger, “An American Icon, ” Time Commemorative Edition: John Glenn, A Hero’s Life, 1921−2016.
62 “buying the farm” Frank Van Riper, Glenn: The Astronaut Who Would Be President (New York: Empire Books, 1983), p. 106.
62 “Took two hands to manhandle” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, April 6, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 24, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
62 “That’s a small sweat until” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, April 6, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 24, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
62 “’Twas up Sinanju way” “Korean War—Poetry written by John Glenn, circa 1950s,” courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 16.1, Folder 6, Location 01-8-23-06-05-0-1. (NOTE: Multiple typos in the original document have been corrected by the author.)
65 “Lovely subject—know” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, March 17, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 23, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
65 “I’ve come to the conclusion” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, April 6, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 24, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
66 “I went under him to” John Minturn Verdi, First Hundred: A Memoir of the Korean War, 1952−1953, (Airdale & Chrünschi LLC, 2013), p. 349.
66 “Tell me, does John” John Minturn Verdi, First Hundred: A Memoir of the Korean War, 1952−1953 (Airdale & Chrünschi LLC, 2013), pp. 349−351.
66 “he had seen something” Arthur M. Moran, unpublished memoir, 1988.
66 “I told him to be careful” Arthur M. Moran, unpublished memoir, 1988.
66 “You normally don’t” Arthur M. Moran, unpublished memoir, 1988.
67 “I thought instantly he had” John Minturn Verdi, First Hundred: A Memoir of the Korean War, 1952−1953 (Airdale & Chrünschi LLC, 2013), p. 352.
67 “You know, I sometimes” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, April 10, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 24, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
67 “[Glenn was] another of” John Minturn Verdi, First Hundred: A Memoir of the Korean War, 1952−1953, (Airdale & Chrünschi LLC, 2013), p. 349.
67 “He seemed to draw” Sara W. Bock, “Sea Stories,” Leatherneck, September 2015.
Chapter Five: Hospitality
68 “Everyone just counts the” Letter written by Bill Clem to Marian Clem, February 12, 1953, courtesy of Barbara Clem Alvarez.
68 “I remember Ted Williams” David Cataneo, I Remember Ted Williams (Nashville, Tennessee: Cumberland House, 2002), p. 180.
68 “That is the right attitude” Arthur M. Moran, unpublished memoir, 1988.
68 “all right, I guess” “Korean Flying Tough Work, Ted Reports,” Long Beach Independent, February 20, 1953.
69 “Moran, what in the hell” Arthur M. Moran, unpublished memoir, 1988.
69 “I was really sick” Ted Williams with John Underwood, My Turn at Bat (New York: A Fireside Book Published by Simon & Schuster, 1988), p. 182.
70 “He wasn’t very happy” Author interview with Nicholas A. Gandolfo, February 12, 2021.
70 “the arrogant son of” Oral history interview with John Breske, Jr, Wisconsin Veterans Museum, interview by Mik Derks, September 22, 2004, p. 23.
70 “We were all interested” Author interview with Tony Ybarra, February 14, 2021.
70 “the most gracious fellow” Jan K. Herman interview with Nancy “Bing” Crosby, Naval History Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, December 26, 2001, courtesy of United States Navy.
70 “Capt. Williams, I used” Dick Hill, Battle Talk!: Memoirs of a Marine Radio Correspondent (Edina, MN: Beaver Pond Press, 2006), p. 90.
71 “Well, I really don’t” Dick Hill, Battle Talk!: Memoirs of a Marine Radio Correspondent, (Edina, Minnesota: Beaver Pond Press, 2006), audio CD insert, track 2.
71 “weak as a cat” Letter written by Ted Williams to Evelyn Turner, March 22, 1953, LiveAuctioneers.com, accessed January 7, 2021.
71 “They took a piece about” Letter written by Ted Williams to Evelyn Turner, March 27, 1953, LiveAuctioneers.com, accessed January 7, 2021.
72 “always wanted to finish” “Williams Relates Ailment in Letter,” Los Angeles Times, April 19, 1953.
72 “I&I, which is Intercourse and Intoxication” Author interview with Robert “Woody” Woodbury, May 28, 2021.
72 “Good luck in opener” “Luck from Ted,” Philadelphia Inquirer, April 17, 1953.
73 “damn good steaks” Letter written by Ted Williams to Evelyn Turner, April 21, 1953, LiveAuctioneers.com, accessed January 7, 2021.
73 “an Indian prince or” Letter written by Ted Williams to Evelyn Turner, June 4, 1953, LiveAuctioneers.com, accessed January 7, 2021.
73 “I went on R&R to Japan” Smithsonian via YouTube, “John Glenn: Earning the Right Stuff as a Decorated Marine Aviator and Navy Test Pilot,” May 25, 2012, accessed February 3, 2021.
73 “[a] 100% change from” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, April 10, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 24, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
74 “[The boy] swung with all” “Ted Williams: A Celebration of an American Hero,” July 22, 2002, courtesy of New England Sports Network.
75 “Nothing gave him more pleasure” “Ted Williams: A Celebration of an American Hero,” July 22, 2002, courtesy of New England Sports Network.
Chapter Six: Bush and Old Magnet Ass
76 “They had a policy that” Smithsonian via Youtube, “John Glenn: Earning the Right Stuff as a Decorated Marine Aviator and Navy Test Pilot,” May 25, 2012, accessed February 3, 2021.
76 “road recce” . . . “road” The John H. Glenn, Jr., Oral History Project, “Oral History Interview 14,” Brien R. Williams, March 13, 1998.
76 “early-early” VHS Copy of “An Evening With #9,” November 10, 1988, courtesy of the personal archives of Ben Bradlee, Jr.
76 “a. Check the bombline” VMF-311 SOP for Tactical Flight Operations, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 16, Folder 47, Location 01-8-26-11-07-0-1.
77 “Some of our troops” John Glenn with Nick Taylor, John Glenn: A Memoir (New York: Random House, 2000), p. 214.
77 “We worked closer” Smithsonian via YouTube, “John Glenn: Earning the Right Stuff as a Decorated Marine Aviator and Navy Test Pilot,” May 25, 2012, accessed February 3, 2021.
78 “I have an emergency” VMF-115 “Able Eagles” Standard Operating Procedures Manual, January 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 16, Folder 40, Location 01-8-26-11-07-0-1.
78 “We got up before light” VHS Copy of “An Evening With #9,” November 10, 1988, courtesy of the personal archives of Ben Bradlee, Jr.
79 “If dropping those with” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, March 15, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 23, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
79 “4 to 5 second delay” MAG-33 Type-B Report (Command Diary), 1 to 30 April 1953.
79 “There had been some proximity” The John H. Glenn, Jr., Oral History Project, “Oral History Interview 14,” Brien R. Williams, March 13, 1998.
80 “On my chart I thought” The John H. Glenn, Jr., Oral History Project, “Oral History Interview 14,” Brien R. Williams, March 13, 1998.
80 “I was calling him” Joel Hallett, “Glenn Remains Sky-High on Friendship with Ted Williams,” Columbus Dispatch, July 14, 2002.
80 “You made that 180” VHS Copy of “An Evening With #9,” November 10, 1988, courtesy of the personal archives of Ben Bradlee, Jr.
80 “two (2) 500 GPs were” “VMF-311 Type ‘B’ Report (Command Diary), for the period 1 to April 1953 through 30 April 1953.”
80 “I never took off” John Glenn with Nick Taylor, John Glenn: A Memoir (New York: Random House, 2000), p. 214.
80 “I knew where I was” Interview with Major General Larry Taylor, “Veterans Day Tribute: An Interview with Ted Williams USMC Reservist, Baseball Legend,” Officer, November 1999.
81 “You fly as a two-person” Bill Nowlin, Ted Williams at War (Burlington, MA: Rounder Books, 2007), p. 312.
81 “We were just better trained” The John H. Glenn, Jr., Oral History Project, “Oral History Interview 14,” Brien R. Williams, March 13, 1998.
82 “He didn’t like to fly” Sweeny Murti interview of John Glenn, August 26, 2012, courtesy of CBS New York.
82 “Been working some on” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, May 17, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 24, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
83 “Ted flew my wing this” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, May 21, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 24, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
83 “Heavy winds made” “Sox Slugger Lands Safely After Raid,” Boston Globe, April 28, 1953.
83 “I watched the first three” Jim Lucas, “Ted Williams Gets 2 Hits in 39 Times Up—in Korea,” Knoxville News-Sentinel, June 28, 1953.
84 “I knew I was hit” Jim Lucas, “Ted Williams Gets 2 Hits in 39 Times Up—in Korea,” Knoxville News-Sentinel, June 28, 1953.
84 “His wingman in Korea” C-SPAN, “John Glenn Funeral Service,” December 17, 2016, accessed April 13, 2021.
84 “It wasn’t that important” “Red Sox Slugger Has Close Call,” Japan Times, April 29, 1953.
84 “this was a little bit” Bill Nowlin interview transcript, conducted October 1, 1996, courtesy of Bill Nowlin.
85 “A big damn rock” Jim Lucas, “Ted Williams Gets 2 Hits in 39 Times Up—in Korea,” Knoxville News-Sentinel, June 28, 1953.
85 “pouring 100,000 pounds of” “United Nations,” New York Times, April 29, 1953.
85 “secondary explosion” The John H. Glenn, Jr., Oral History Project, “Oral History Interview 14,” Brien R. Williams, March 13, 1998.
85 “They tell me rocks” Jim Lucas, “Ted Williams Gets 2 Hits in 39 Times Up—in Korea,” Knoxville News-Sentinel, June 28, 1953.
85 “all done up” Charles L. Whipple, “The Come-Back Kid: Life Story of Ted Williams, Chapter IX,” Boston Globe, July 3, 1955.
85 “We always kidded him” Bill Nowlin interview transcript, conducted October 1, 1996, courtesy of Bill Nowlin.
Chapter Seven: Liberty
86 “Dimmitt’s only complete fuel” “Classified,” Castro County (TX) News, December 7, 1950.
86 “He worked for Phillips 66” David Cataneo, “On This Memorial Day Ted Williams Remembers Those Who Didn’t Make It Home,” Boston Herald, May 26, 1997.
86 “greatly loved and respected” “Capt. Bailes’ Funeral Rites Slated Today,” Tyler Morning Telegraph, July 8, 1953.
87 “And, God, there’s his” David Cataneo, “On This Memorial Day Ted Williams Remembers Those Who Didn’t Make It Home,” Boston Herald, May 26, 1997.
87 “It’s the first guy we’ve” Letter written by Ted Williams to Evelyn Turner, May 8, 1953, LiveAuctioneers.com, accessed January 7, 2021.
88 “stinkers” Letters written by John Hense to Mary Ann Hense, March 13, 1953, and April 18, 1953, courtesy of John Hense, Jr.
87 “Rice Paddie Bijou Theatre” First Marine Aircraft Wing, Command Diary, 1 to 28 February 1953.
88 “I never could’ve sat” “Conversation Piece: Subject: Ted Williams,” Sports Illustrated, Joan Flynn Dreyspool, August 1, 1955.
89 “A flip of the wrist” Author interview with Rylen B. Rudy, February 5, 2021
89 “Rivalry was intense” Letter written by Senator John Glenn to Dr. Frank E. Romack, August 11, 1987, courtesy of Kathy Moran Truitt.
90 “use of KROINDYKES” “From: Commanding Officer . . . ,” Korean War—VMF-311 Policy from new commanding officer (including policy created as a joke), February 1, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 16, Folder 45, Location 01-8-26-11-07-0-1.
90 “supposed to spread” Letter written by Ted Williams to Evelyn Turner, April 29, 1953, LiveAuctioneers.com, accessed January 7, 2021.
91 “Ted and I have shot” Ed Hyde, “Ted Williams, Marine,” Sport, July 1953.
91 “Making me provost” Ben Bradlee, Jr., interview of Edmund Buchser, Jr., April 28, 2004, courtesy of the personal archives of Ben Bradlee, Jr.
91 “He could shoot a shotgun” Steve Waters, “Duck Days in Korea,” South Florida Sun-Sentinel, July 11, 2002.
92 “We weren’t there 10” Steve Waters, “Duck Days in Korea,” South Florida Sun-Sentinel, July 11, 2002.
92 “hill-billy band” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, February 27, 1953. Courtesy of The John H. Glenn Archives at The Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 23, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
93 “they don’t drink anything” Letter written by Ted Williams to Evelyn Turner, April 11, 1953, LiveAuctioneers.com, accessed January 7, 2021.
93 “It’ll be done with” “Ex-Cambridge Boy Commands Fighter Group That Is Knocking Out MIG’s,” Daily Jeffersonian (OH), March 3, 1953.
94 “So he goes up to Ted” Author interview with Bob Massaro, November 23, 2021.
94 “Ted, do you know” Author interview with Bob Massaro, November 23, 2021.
94 “I had to leave and” Author interviews with Robert “Woody” Woodbury, December 10, 2020, and May 28, 2021.
95 “The Commie’s” . . . “I hope to raise a” “Korean War—G.I. songs, no date,” courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 16.1, Folder 8, Location 01-8-23-06-05-0-1.
95 “After the performance” Letter written by Bill Clem to Marian Clem, April 11, 1953, courtesy of Barbara Clem Alvarez.
95 “the authorized absence” Marine Corps Personnel Manual, circa 1961, https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/Portals/61/Docs/FOIA/MCPM%5B1%5D.pdf. Accessed February 15, 2022.
96 “The old Pappa-san has” Letter from John Glenn to Annie Glenn, February 27, 1953, courtesy of the John H. Glenn Archives at the Ohio State University, Box 118, Folder 23, Location 01-8-30-15-02-0-1.
96 “immoral purposes” First Marine Aircraft Wing Headquarters Squadron Type “B” Report (Command Diary), 1 to 31 May 1953.
