Frederick C. Blesse
Frederick Corbin Blesse | |
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2) (21)Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit (3) Distinguished Flying Cross (6) Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart Air Medal | |
Relations | Betty Blesse (wife) |
Frederick Corbin "Boots" Blesse (August 22, 1921 – October 31, 2012) was a
Early life
Blesse was born on August 22, 1921, in
Blesse was commissioned a year early due to
Military career
He earned his pilot wings just as World War II was ending and did not see any combat during the war.
After completing gunnery training and
Korean War
Blesse was assigned to the
He returned to the U.S. in June 1951. Blesse then served with the
in aerial combat plus 1 probable and 3 more damaged. Overall, he flew 223 combat missions in the F-51 Mustang, F-80 Shooting Star, and F-86 Sabre fighters.Post Korean War
From December 1952 to February 1956, he served as a gunnery instructor and squadron commander at
During the 1955 Air Force Worldwide Gunnery Championship, he won all six trophies offered for individual performance, a feat never equaled. He transferred to Randolph Air Force Base in February 1956, and served as chief of the Fighter Division of Crew Training until April 1958, when he was assigned to the
He served as base and squadron commander of the
Vietnam War
During the
Blesse next served as Director of Operations for the
In May 1968 he again was assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, this time as director of operations of the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing, and in June 1969 became commander. In July 1970 General Blesse became commander of the 831st Air Division at George Air Force Base, California, and then was selected for another tour of duty in the Republic of Vietnam as assistant director of operations for Seventh Air Force, Tan Son Nhut Air Base.
Blesse then became Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations followed by Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at Headquarters
He retired from the USAF on April 1, 1975, with more than 6,500 flying hours in fighter-type aircraft and more than 650 hours combat time to his credit.
Later life
After his retirement from the Air Force, he worked with the
Blesse died on October 31, 2012, at a golf course in
Awards and decorations
He was a command pilot with more than 6,500 flying hours, most of which were in fighter aircraft including the
USAF Command Pilot Badge
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Distinguished Service Cross | Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
with bronze oak leaf cluster | ||||||||||
Silver Star with bronze oak leaf cluster |
Legion of Merit with two bronze oak leaf clusters |
Valor device and silver oak leaf cluster
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Bronze Star Medal with Valor device |
Purple Heart | Air Medal with four silver oak leaf clusters | |||||||||
Air Force Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster |
Army Commendation Medal | Air Force Presidential Unit Citation with bronze oak leaf cluster | |||||||||
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/ Valor device and bronze oak leaf cluster |
Combat Readiness Medal | American Campaign Medal | |||||||||
Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal | World War II Victory Medal | Army of Occupation Medal with 'Japan' clasp | |||||||||
National Defense Service Medal with service star |
campaign stars
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Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | |||||||||
Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze campaign stars |
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters |
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
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Philippine Independence Medal | National Order of Vietnam Knight |
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm | |||||||||
Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st class |
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
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Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
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United Nations Service Medal for Korea
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Vietnam Campaign Medal | Korean War Service Medal |
Distinguished Service Cross citation
- Blesse, Frederick C.
- Major, U.S. Air Force
- 334th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, Far East Air Forces
- Date of Action: September 8, 1952
- Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Air Force) to Major Frederick Corbin Blesse, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Fighter Airplane of the 334th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, Far East Air Forces, in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Korea on 8 September 1952. Leading a flight of four F-86s protecting fighter-bombers from possible attack by enemy MIGs, Major Blesse positioned his flight for an attack on four sighted MIGs. Singling out one of the MIGs, Major Blesse followed it up into an overcast and broke out between layers of clouds. As the two aircraft emerged from the clouds, Major Blesse was still in position, so he closed and fired, causing the MIG to burst into flames and the pilot to eject himself. Major Blesse then sighted a lone MIG, and positioned himself for another attack. The MIG began violent, evasive maneuvers, but through superior airmanship Major Blesse scored hits, causing the MIG to snap and spin. Major Blesse followed closely until the MIG recovered. He then scored hits with another long burst which caused the pilot to eject himself. Through his courage, keen flying ability and devotion to duty, Major Blesse reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.[2]
References
- ^ Military Hall of Valor
- ^ "Valor awards for Frederick Corbin Blesse". Valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2022-03-22.
- "Biographies". USAF. Archived from the original on 2008-02-15. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
Further reading
- Blesse, Frederick C. No Guts, No Glory (PDF). USAF. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-03-09. Retrieved 2021-05-15.
This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force