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

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

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Identifier2002-02-13-1139_AV_017SourceThe American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews (2002-02-13-1139)CreatorAmerican Fighter Aces AssociationIntervieweeBlair, William K.InterviewerValencia, Eugene A.DescriptionAudio recording of an oral history with fighter ace William K. Blair, conducted by interviewer Eugene A. Valencia, circa 1960s. Part 1 of 2.

Text on label: "005. W. K. Blair. VF-10, Flatley. VF-2, Dean."AbstractIn 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).BiographyWilliam 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.Creation Datecirca 1960sSubjectAces (Fighter pilots)Air pilots, MilitaryBlair, William K.Enterprise (Aircraft carrier : CV-6)Fighter pilotsFlatley, Jimmy, 1906-1958Grumman F4F Wildcat FamilyGrumman F6F Hellcat FamilyHornet (Aircraft carrier : CV 12)Kawanishi H8K Emily (Navy Type 2 Flying Boat)Long Island (Escort carrier : CVE-1)Mitsubishi A6M Reisen (Zero Fighter) Zeke (Ben, Ray) FamilyPhilippine Sea, Battle of the, 1944 (June 19-21)Reding, WillisSanta Cruz Islands, Battle of the, Solomon Islands, 1942Saratoga (Aircraft carrier : CV-3)United States. Naval ReserveUnited States. NavyUnited States. Navy. Fighting Squadron 2United States. Navy. Fighting Squadron, 10thVejtasa, Stanley W., 1914-2013World War, 1939-1945PlaceCaliforniaFloridaGuadalcanal (Solomon Islands)GuamIwo Jima (Volcano Islands, Japan)JapanNew CaledoniaNorthern Mariana IslandsPapua New GuineaSanta Cruz Islands (Solomon Islands)Solomon IslandsExtent1 sound reel (1 hr., 3 min., 6 sec.) : analog ; 1/4 inOriginal Formatoral histories (literary works)open reel audiotapesBibliographic CitationThe American Fighter Aces Association Materials/The Museum of FlightRightsIn copyrightTranscription[William K. Blair oral history interview (Part 1 of 2)]

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