Fair skies Col. Don

[Frank Browne]

Col. Donald James Matthews Blakeslee who commanded the 4th Fighter Group during WWII passed away a couple of weeks ago. The 4th Group was the highest scoring fighter group in the ETO with 1016 destroyed enemy aircraft.

Tail winds forever Col. Don.

http://www.legacy.com/sunsentinel/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=116963382

 

[KennyFlys]

Another unsung hero passes. Fair winds, Sir.

 

[Frank Browne]

A funny story about Blakeslee....

http://www.acepilots.com/usaaf_blakeslee.html


From the article....



In his autobiography, Tumult in the Clouds, James A. Goodson, the top-scoring ace of the 4th Fighter Group, remembered Don Blakeslee: "While no one questioned his talent in the air, many in the top command had less confidence in his behavior on the ground. He had established his reputation at the time of transfer, by choosing the very night before General Hunter's visit to entertain two female WAAF officers in his barrack room. The General started his tour early the next morning. Warned of the approaching danger, the two WAAFs just had time to cover some of their embarrassment and scramble out the barracks window right into the path of the General and his staff. Told that Blakeslee would be demoted and transferred, General Hunter remarked, 'For one, maybe; but for two! He should be promoted!'"