Donald James Matthew Blakeslee was an officer in the United States Air Force, whose aviation career began as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force flying Spitfire fighter aircraft during World War II.
22 Facts About Donald Blakeslee
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Donald Blakeslee then became a member of the Royal Air Force Eagle Squadrons, before transferring to the United States Army Air Forces in 1942.
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Donald Blakeslee flew more combat missions against the Luftwaffe than any other American fighter pilot, and by the end of the war was a flying ace credited with 15.5 aerial victories.
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However, his friend crashed the plane in 1940, and Donald Blakeslee decided the best way to remain flying was to join the Royal Canadian Air Force.
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Donald Blakeslee's next kills were not claimed until April 28,1942, two Fw 190 probably destroyed.
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Donald Blakeslee proved to be not a particularly good shot, but was receptive to the principles involved in air fighting tactics, and was shown to be a gifted leader, in the air and on the ground.
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Donald Blakeslee has destroyed 1, probably destroyed 2 and damaged several more hostile aircraft.
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Donald Blakeslee is a fine leader whose keenness has proved most inspiring.
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Donald Blakeslee then completed his first tour of duty, clocking 200 combat hours with three victories.
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Towards the end of the year, Donald Blakeslee led the group more often, and developed a tactic of circling above any air battle and directing his fighters as necessary.
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Donald Blakeslee flew the P-51 Mustang for the first time in December 1943 and thereafter worked hard to have the 4th FG re-equipped as soon as possible with the new fighter, pushing hard, especially as he now became commanding officer of the 4th on January 1,1944.
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Donald Blakeslee agreed, instructing his pilots to "learn how to fly them on the way to the target".
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On March 6,1944, Donald Blakeslee flew in the first Mustang over Berlin while defending Boeing B-17s and Consolidated B-24s.
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The next landmark for Donald Blakeslee was leading the first "shuttle" mission to Russia on June 21,1944, flying 1,470 miles in a mission lasting over 7 hours.
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Don Donald Blakeslee was finally grounded in September 1944, after the loss of several high-scoring USAAF aces.
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Donald Blakeslee had accounted for 15.5 kills in the air and 2 more on the ground.
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Donald Blakeslee had flown over 500 operational sorties and accumulated 1,000 combat hours.
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Barrett Tillman, who served as an executive secretary of the American Fighter Aces Association, stated that Donald Blakeslee had more missions and hours "than any other American fighter pilot of World War II".
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Donald Blakeslee retired from the United States Air Force in 1965 with the rank of colonel.
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Donald Blakeslee immediately led his flight of four aircraft to attack, disregarding all odds and disadvantage of altitude.
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Donald Blakeslee married Leola Fryer in 1944 and had one daughter.
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Donald Blakeslee died on September 3,2008, at his home due to heart failure.