[William K. Blair oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)]

In this two-part oral history, fighter ace William K. Blair is interviewed by Eugene A. Valencia about his military service with the United States Navy. In part one, Blair describes his experiences as a carrier-based fighter pilot, including his assignments with Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10) and Fighting Squadron 2 (VF-2) during World War II. Topics discussed include his flight training; his time aboard the USS Saratoga, USS Long Island, USS Hornet, and USS Enterprise; and his participation in various battles, including the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands (October 1942) and the Battle of the Philippine Sea (June 1944).

William K. Blair was born on April 18, 1916 in Toledo, Ohio. He joined the United States Navy in 1940 and graduated from flight training in 1942. Blair served two combat tours in the Pacific Theater, one with Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10) and one with Fighting Squadron 2 (VF-2). During this time, Blair served aboard a number of carriers, including the USS Saratoga, USS Long Island, USS Hornet, and USS Enterprise. He remained in the military after World War II and retired as a commander in 1957. In his civilian life, he worked as a stock broker for Merrill Lynch.

Biographical information courtesy of: Boyce, Ward J., ed., American fighter aces album. Mesa, Ariz: American Fighter Aces Association, 1996.