The Wingmen

Adam Lazarus delivers a compelling dual biography in "The Wingmen," exploring the remarkable friendship between two towering figures of mid-twentieth-century America: astronaut John Glenn and baseball legend Ted Williams. The book examines how these men from vastly different worlds forged an enduring bond through their shared service as Marine Corps fighter pilots during the Korean War, a connection that would last until Williams's death in 2002.

The narrative centers on a friendship that defied expectations. Glenn, the clean-cut, all-American hero who would become the first American to orbit Earth, seemed an unlikely match for Williams, the temperamental baseball star known for his complicated personality and fierce independence. Yet their relationship, born in the crucible of combat, transcended their surface differences and became one of mutual respect and genuine affection.

Lazarus structures the book around their time together in the Korean War, when both men served in Marine Fighter Squadron 311. Glenn flew as Williams's wingman on several missions, a detail that provides the book with its title and central metaphor. The author explores how the pressures of combat flying and the shared experience of military service created a foundation for their lifelong friendship. Their service records show they flew dangerous missions together, with Williams completing 39 combat missions and Glenn eventually flying 90 missions during the conflict.

The book provides substantial context for understanding each man individually before exploring their intersection. Williams had already established himself as one of baseball's greatest hitters, having won the Triple Crown and maintained a legendary batting average. His decision to serve in World War II and then return for the Korean War interrupted his baseball career at its peak, a sacrifice that cost him nearly five full seasons. Glenn, meanwhile, was building his reputation as an exceptional pilot, demonstrating the qualities of discipline and courage that would later make him a natural choice for the Mercury Seven astronaut program.

Lazarus draws on interviews, archival materials, and previously published accounts to reconstruct the dynamics of their friendship. The author illustrates how their relationship continued long after Korea, with Glenn attending Williams's Hall of Fame induction and the two men maintaining contact through the decades. When Glenn made his historic orbital flight aboard Friendship 7 in 1962, Williams was among those who celebrated his achievement. Later, when Glenn pursued a political career as a U.S. Senator from Ohio, Williams remained a steadfast friend.

The book explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and masculinity through the lens of this friendship. Both men embodied a particular ideal of American manhood prevalent in their era, yet they expressed it in different ways. Glenn's path took him from military service to space exploration to politics, while Williams returned to baseball and later became known for his philanthropy and work with the Jimmy Fund. Their friendship demonstrated how shared values could unite individuals with different temperaments and life paths.

Lazarus addresses the complexities of both men without resorting to hagiography. Williams's difficult personality, his troubled relationships, and his sometimes prickly public persona receive appropriate attention. Glenn's political ambitions and his carefully maintained public image are also examined. The author presents these flaws and complications as part of what made their friendship meaningful rather than obstacles to it.

The Korean War sections provide vivid descriptions of combat flying and the dangers these men faced. The author conveys the technical aspects of piloting F9F Panther jets while keeping the narrative accessible to general readers. The missions were genuinely perilous, with both men experiencing close calls and witnessing the loss of fellow pilots. These shared experiences of danger and loss helped cement their bond.

"The Wingmen" succeeds as both a war story and a portrait of friendship. Lazarus demonstrates how two American icons found common ground despite their different personalities and career paths. The book offers insights into a particular moment in American history when military service connected people across social and professional boundaries. For readers interested in Cold War history, baseball, the early space program, or simply stories of unlikely friendships, this book provides a thoroughly researched and engaging account of a relationship that endured for more than half a century.