Williams in midst of his Carrier for the Red Sox
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Wikipedia Military AchivementsWilliams did not want to serve in the war. He felt that the United States had a bad habit of calling up inactive reserve members rather then active men. He was called to honor for both World War II and the Korean War as a pilot part of the united States Marine Corps. He saw no action during WWII, only going through training, but flew 39 combat missions during the Korean War, one of which he almost was killed. Williams was named Captain in the Marine Corps. He earned several medals during war time the highest of which was the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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Carrier AchivementsWho was the greatest offensive player in baseball history? Ask any one who was alive to see Ted Williams play and they would all answer the same, "Ted Williams is the greatest batter who ever lived. " Rightfully so, that was his goal all along. Ted Williams lived a life of controversy that unfortunately costed him some recognition that he deserved. Williams won the MLB triple crown twice, an achievement only shared with one other player, an all star player 19 times in his 19 season career, and has the highest batting average of any player to play in the live ball era. Unfortunately, he had a bad relation ship with the media which costed him numerous MVP awards, only winning 2 but being the runner up several. This did not, however, stop him from earning his spot in the Baseball hall of fame (inducted in 1966). His career could have been even more spectacular if he didn't lose 4 prime years of his life to serving in the military.
Williams Being Sworn into the Navy
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Wikipedia Charity Work''If it wasn't for Ted Williams, I'm convinced that the Jimmy Fund would not be what it is today. ... He had made an impact, maybe more impact on fighting a disease than any other professional athlete in the history of this country.'' Mike Henry of the Jimmy fund said this about Ted Williams. Williams lost his brother Danny to leukemia and this started his drive to beat cancer. Ted was to humble to publicly state how much money he actually donated to the organization. Some speculate it is in the millions range. Williams once stated that every child should have a chance at living. This is why he supported the jimmy fund so fiercely. We will never know the extent of his kindness, unfortunately, but he is remembered as one of the most avid supporters of the Jimmy Fund to date.
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