Ted Williams did not try to avoid combat in World War II. He was a good pilot and he was selected to teach others how to fly. He followed orders. Most World War II vets were drafted. My uncle (a WWII vet) told me that from 1943 on there was no more volunteering. If you volunteered to go into the service your were told that you would be going into the service when you were ordered to report. The military had to gear up and build training bases etc. in order to absorb the large numbers of men.
One of my favorite Greatest Generation veterans is Jerry Coleman. He went from the N.Y. Yankees into the Marine Corps. He is the only major league player who saw combat in two wars. He flew combat in WWII and Korea. He said that the Marine Corps ruined his baseball career. He also said that his Marine Corps service is the achievement of which he is most proud. He retired as a Lt. Colonel in the USMCR. He is still working part time as the Padre play by play announcer. The other broadcasters refer to him as “Colonel.”
Oh no, I wasn't implying that! He just didn't get into combat. In fact, if I remember right, he could've fought being drafted because he was his Mom's sole support, but didn't. The original post had some nonsense about him being the most decorated pilot in the war or something.
He was bitter about being recalled for Korea (there was a great movie The Bridges at Toko-Ri that dealt with that theme). And he said Marines were treated like garbage over there. But he flew many missions and famously brought a flaming fighter home. The pics of that are amazing and My Turn at Bat is a wonderful read.