Adam Lazarus has written a modern history book that I loved, The Wingmen: The Unlikely, Unusual, Unbreakable Friendship Between John Glenn and Ted Williams. Back in college, in 1962, a group of us traveled to New York during our break and attended the parade honoring John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth. At the time, I knew Glenn was an important figure, but what stands out most in my memory of that day is how bitterly cold the weather was.

Reading Lazarus’s book gave me a much deeper understanding of who John Glenn really was—and who Ted Williams was beyond the baseball diamond. I was fascinated to learn that both men served in the Korean War, and even more surprised to find out that Williams was actually a “wingman” for Glenn during combat missions.

From the book:

“John Glenn does not seem to have participated in many of the base’s extracurricular activities. Between flying fifty-eight missions during a twelve-week span, routinely briefing the squadron, carrying out his critical duties as operations officer and writing post-mission poetry, Glenn’s days were full.”

And ballplayer Ted Williams? He was drafted. From the book:

“On July 9, 1953, a Marine RSD transport plane touched down at Naval Air Station Moffett Field outside San Jose, California. Aboard was Captain Ted Williams, still bothered by pain and fluid in his ears, especially after a twelve-hour transpacific flight. Upon his arrival, Williams told a collection of sportswriters outside the airfield exactly what they wanted to hear. ‘I’ll always be able to hit a baseball’, he assured them.”

Lazarus does a great job showing the humanity behind both men — their courage, flaws, and the bond they shared through war and later in life. Highly recommend it if you enjoy history, baseball, or stories about unlikely friendships that stand the test of time.