Frederick C. Blesse

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Frederick Corbin Blesse
(21)
RelationsBetty Blesse (wife)

Frederick Corbin "Boots" Blesse (August 22, 1921 – October 31, 2012) was a

F-86s. During the second tour in F-86s, he was officially credited with shooting down nine MiG-15s and one La-9
. At the time of his return to the United States in October 1952, he was America's leading jet ace.

Early life

Blesse was born on August 22, 1921, in

West Point
in 1942.

Blesse was commissioned a year early due to

West Point
and being awarded his pilot wings on June 5, 1945.

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

Selfridge Air Force Base
, where he served from March 1948 to November 1950.

Korean War

"Boots" Blesse in his aircraft.

Blesse was assigned to the

P-51 Mustangs
, during his first tour of duty in Korea.

He returned to the U.S. in June 1951. Blesse then served with the

F-86 Sabres and was credited in destroying nine MiG-15s and one La-9
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

U.S. Air Force
since 1955. As recently as 1973, 3,000 copies were reproduced and sent to tactical units in the field.

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

serving as commander of the squadron before returning to the United States in August 1961.

He served as base and squadron commander of the

F-4 Phantom II
Combat Crew Training.

Vietnam War

During the

Republic of Vietnam from April 1967 to April 1968. During this one-year tour of duty, he flew 108 combat missions over North Vietnam and another 46 in Laos and South Vietnam
. He was decorated for valor for helping unload the bombs from a burning F-4 Phantom II aircraft during a rocket attack. While on his first tour in 1967–1968, he flew in total 156 combat missions.

Blesse next served as Director of Operations for the

in the Republic of Vietnam from January to July 1971.

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

U.S. Air Force
, where he served from August 1974 until April 1, 1975.

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

Grumman Corporation before he completely retired. He lived with his wife, Betty, in Florida. They had four children and three step-children. In December 1998, over 40 years after the Korean War, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for actions during that war.[1]

Blesse died on October 31, 2012, at a golf course in

F-15 Eagles before being buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery
.

Awards and decorations

He was a command pilot with more than 6,500 flying hours, most of which were in fighter aircraft including the

ace
.

Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
V
Silver oak leaf cluster
V
Silver oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
V
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Width-44 yellow ribbon with central width-4 Old Glory blue-white-scarlet stripe. At distance 6 from the edges are width-6 white-scarlet-white stripes.
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
USAF Command Pilot Badge
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
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
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
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
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
United Nations Service Medal for Korea
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

  1. ^ Military Hall of Valor
  2. ^ "Valor awards for Frederick Corbin Blesse". Valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2022-03-22.

Further reading

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force