Roy M. “Butch” Voris Naval Aviation Icon – First Blue Angel – Legendary aviator led squadron from beginning

Posted on Nov 26, 2006

Roy M. “Butch” Voris Naval Aviation Icon – First Blue Angel – Legendary aviator led squadron from beginning

“Once a Blue, always a Blue,” members of the Blue Angels proudly proclaim. Never was that saying truer than for the first Blue Angel, Navy Capt. Roy M. “Butch” Voris, who was selected in 1946 to lead the newly created Navy flight exhibition team. Voris was involved with the team until his death Aug. 10, 2005, and the 2006 show season is dedicated to his memory. Voris served in the Navy for 22 years and retired in 1963 as a captain. Known for his coolness in the cockpit, Voris cheated death many times, including a 1952 midair collision during a Blue Angels demonstration in Corpus...

Read More

Naval Academy Honors Fallen Blue Angels

Posted on May 24, 2006

Naval Academy Honors Fallen Blue Angels

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (NNS) — The U.S. Naval Academy paid tribute to the 25 Blue Angels pilots and enlisted crew members who have died in team flight operations in the Blue Angels’ 60-year history in a ceremony May 22. Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Rodney P. Rempt unveiled a memorial plaque alongside a display F/A-18 Hornet, painted in the Blue Angels’ unmistakable blue and gold color scheme, at Navy/Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. The aircraft’s canopy rails display the names of Cmdr. Stephen Foley, the Blue Angels’ current commanding officer, and...

Read More

Original Blue Angel Honored With Aerial Farewell

Posted on Oct 12, 2005

Original Blue Angel Honored With Aerial Farewell

MONTEREY, Calif. (NNS) — Retired Navy Capt. Roy M. “Butch” Voris, the original flight leader of the famed U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, was honored Oct. 10 with a memorial service at the Fort Ord chapel, followed by a six-plane missing man formation flyover by the Blue Angels in their blue and gold F/A-18 Hornets. Voris died at his home in Monterey, Calif., Aug. 10. He was 86. Full military honors were conducted outside the chapel following the memorial ceremony, which included a 21-gun salute and the traditional folding and presentation of the American flag. The service...

Read More

Butch Voris Memorial Service Backgrounder

Posted on Oct 5, 2005

Butch Voris Memorial Service Backgrounder

Butch Voris, though very well known for his aviation accomplishments, never sought to bring attention or personal gain as a result of any of his many personal achievements. In that regards he was very humble and modest. However, he was willing to use his fame to promote his beloved Blue Angels for the betterment and advantage specifically of Naval Aviation and the Navy. As a result, in later life, he was a popular speaker, who spoke often about his many aviation adventures, in a humorous and self effacing manner. Particularly impressive was his ability to continue to relate to various...

Read More

Original Blue Angel Dies

Posted on Aug 11, 2005

Original Blue Angel Dies

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Retired Navy Capt. Roy M. “Butch” Voris, the original flight leader of the famed U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, died at his home in Monterey, Calif., on Aug. 9. He was 86. Voris, a World War II flying ace in the Pacific theater, was hand-picked by Adm. Chester Nimitz in 1946 to organize a flight demonstration team to showcase naval aviation. On June 15, Voris led the newly named Blue Angels and their Grumman F-6F Hellcats in the team’s first public performance at Craig Field in Jacksonville, Fla. Voris’ Navy career spanned 33 years,...

Read More