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First Blue: The Story of World War II Ace Butch Voris and the Creation of the Blue Angels
Robert K Wilcox's First Blue presents the remarkable story of a true hero of American aviation during World War II.
The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels are the most famous flight demonstration team in the world. While millions of aviation enthusiasts see their shows every year, the story of the man who formed the squadron has never been told. He is Roy Marlin "Butch" Voris, a World War II Ace and one of only two aviators ever to command the Blue Angels twice.
First Blue details the epic journey of an unassuming man whose strong character and desire to fly launched him into a life of drama, heroism, and accomplishment unique in his field. Because he wanted to serve his country during World War II, a young Butch Voris found himself flying fighter planes as part of the pitifully prepared and outmanned front in the early stages of the Pacific theater. He was nearly killed there but went on to be a leader in one of the most fearsome naval air squadrons in the Pacific. As a pilot, Butch is unquestionably in the same class as more recognized aviator heroes such as Chuck Yeager and Pappy Boyington.
While his World War II experience alone could comprise a book, Butch may be best known for his efforts in the creation of the naval air demonstration team, the Blue Angels. After the war, Voris was personally chosen by Admiral Nimitz to start the Blue Angels and to lead them, first in prop planes and later in jets. The story of his efforts is as exciting as it is inspirational, and it's told here in meticulous detail and with great humor. Today the Blue Angels still follow traditions established by Butch.
Butch's involvement in military flight didn't end with the Blue Angels; he became a major player in the development of the F-14 Tomcat and NASA's Lunar Explorer Module for Grumman. Butch dedicated his life to his work, and here, finally, is the remarkable, untold account of this true American aviation pioneer and hero: a man whose life had unparalleled influence on naval aviation and whose legacy continues to inspire millions of Americans each year.
The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels are the most famous flight demonstration team in the world. While millions of aviation enthusiasts see their shows every year, the story of the man who formed the squadron has never been told. He is Roy Marlin "Butch" Voris, a World War II Ace and one of only two aviators ever to command the Blue Angels twice.
First Blue details the epic journey of an unassuming man whose strong character and desire to fly launched him into a life of drama, heroism, and accomplishment unique in his field. Because he wanted to serve his country during World War II, a young Butch Voris found himself flying fighter planes as part of the pitifully prepared and outmanned front in the early stages of the Pacific theater. He was nearly killed there but went on to be a leader in one of the most fearsome naval air squadrons in the Pacific. As a pilot, Butch is unquestionably in the same class as more recognized aviator heroes such as Chuck Yeager and Pappy Boyington.
While his World War II experience alone could comprise a book, Butch may be best known for his efforts in the creation of the naval air demonstration team, the Blue Angels. After the war, Voris was personally chosen by Admiral Nimitz to start the Blue Angels and to lead them, first in prop planes and later in jets. The story of his efforts is as exciting as it is inspirational, and it's told here in meticulous detail and with great humor. Today the Blue Angels still follow traditions established by Butch.
Butch's involvement in military flight didn't end with the Blue Angels; he became a major player in the development of the F-14 Tomcat and NASA's Lunar Explorer Module for Grumman. Butch dedicated his life to his work, and here, finally, is the remarkable, untold account of this true American aviation pioneer and hero: a man whose life had unparalleled influence on naval aviation and whose legacy continues to inspire millions of Americans each year.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
About the author
Robert K. Wilcox
11 books16 followersRobert K. Wilcox is a bestselling author, screenwriter, novelist and journalist. He specializes in mysteries and military history. He began his career as religion editor of the Miami News, winning the Supple Memorial Award as the best religion writer in the nation. He went on to write for the Miami Herald, New York Times and other major newspapers and magazines before becoming a television writer and story editor. He has written 10 books and specializes in political articles when not writing books. His next book is Target JFK: The spy who killed Kennedy?, to be published November 2016. He lives in Los Angeles. His website is: www.robertkwilcox.com
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 9, 2024
Fantastic story and a very well written book.
July 19, 2011
This was the last one of Robert Wilcox's aviation books for me to read. I started with 'Black Aces High', and since then, have read all of his aviation books. And they're all winners. I honestly had no idea who Butch Voris was prior to reading the book. I just assumed, after reading the other books, that he was obviously worth reading about. And he was. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Especially the first half, which chronicles what being a fighter pilot in the Pacific was really like. But I also enjoyed reading about the birth of The Blue Angels, and how the founding principles carry over to today's Angel pilots and crew. The best way for me to describe Voris is to say that he was the Navy's Robin Olds. I know I belong to a niche crowd of military aviation enthusiasts, but I still believe that your average reading could enjoy 'First Blue', as well as Wilcox's other works. I haven't been disappointed yet.
June 3, 2011
A good biography of an interesting life story is never dull, it wipes out fiction in pace and adventure, while adding the bonus that it is as true to memory and is 99% fact. This is one such biography, readable by general audience. Filled with plane crashes, dogfights, airshow mishaps, near misses, lost friends, and amazing feats of survival. Some wartime WWII combat as Mr. Voris was a Squadron leader from carrier USS Enterprise and saw more than his share of combat during some of the worst years. But it is an uplifting tale of perserverence, standard of excellence, and a humorous take on the struggles of military life.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews