11 Dec 2016
John Glenn
John Glenn, Korean War
John Glenn and his battle-damaged fighter jet, Korea, 1953.
“On February 3, 1953, he reported to [Pohang Airport], where he was assigned to VMF-311, one of the two Marine fighter squadrons there, as its operations officer. VMF-311 was equipped with the F9F Panther jet fighter-bomber, and was assigned a variety of missions. Glenn flew his first, a reconnaissance flight, on February 26, 1953.
He flew 63 combat missions in Korea with VMF-311, gaining the nickname “magnet ass” from his alleged ability to attract enemy flak, an occupational hazard of low-level close air support missions. On two occasions, he returned to his base with over 250 holes in his aircraft.”