Keyword: butchvoris

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  • First Blue Angels leader, 'Butch' Voris, dies in California

    08/11/2005 7:16:16 PM PDT · by NormsRevenge · 23 replies · 1,289+ views
    MONTEREY, Calif. (AP) - Retired Navy Capt. Roy M. "Butch" Voris, a World War II ace and the first flight leader of the Blue Angels, died at his home in Monterey, Calif., the precision flying team said Thursday. He was 86. Voris, who died Wednesday, was hand-picked by Adm. Chester Nimitz in 1946 to organize the Blue Angels, now based at Pensacola Naval Air Station. The team made its first public performance June 15 that year at Craig Field in Jacksonville. "Butch Voris' contributions to naval aviation history were epic," said Cmdr. Steve Foley, the Blue Angels' present flight leader,...