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Last Wartime rank: Colonel
Unit(s): Theatre(s): ETO
Born:
Victories: GROUND: 2
Total Sorties: N/A
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Decorations: Distingushed Service Cross Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal Distinguished Unit Citation
Assigned Combat Aircraft:
P-47C-RE WD*C
P-47D-1-RE, SN: 42-7853, WD*C
P-51B-5-NA, SN: 43-6431, WD*C
P-51B-10-NA, SN: 42-106726, WD*C
P-51D-5-NA, SN: 44-13779, WD*C |
Learned to fly as a teenager. Joined the RCAF in 1940.
Completed first tour at Biggen Hill.
Volunteered for 133 "Eagle" Sq., RAF to retain combat status.
Transferred as 133 Sq. became the 336th FS/4th FG of the 8th USAAF.
Assumed Command of 4th FG on January 1, 1944.
"Pranged his kite" an unpardonable error according to Blakeslee's own rules and he left the 4th FG for VIII FC.
Retired as Colonel in 1972 after 30 years with the AAF/USAF including service in Korea and Viet Nam.
NOTES: Considered one of the top combat flying leaders. 3 Air Victories with RAF. 1 Air Victory while detached to 357th FG. Led first "Russian Shuttle" Mission on June 21, 1944 by "dead reckoning". Blakeslee may have seen approximately 1200 combat hours between his WWII missions of May 15, 1941 to October 11, 1944. Believed totally in "teamwork" and carried no additional personal embellishments or victory markings on his fighter aircraft.
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