Farewell "Boots" Blesse

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:41 pm

He passed away last night. I had the honor of meeting him at Reading and having some one on one time. A great guy.

JohnB · **Posted:** Thu Nov 01, 2012 10:53 pm

I met him as well, a fine officer. I have an autographed copy of "Check Six".

He told a great story about surviving the MGM Grand hotel fire in Vegas in 1980...he was trapped on an upper floor, he and his wife thought their survival was at best a 50-50 chance, so they dressed in their finest clothes, he was in him mess dress. They went on the balcony and he saw a AF rescue helicopter and saluted. That told them he probably knew how to use the rescue hoist and they were pulled to safety...after some harrowing moments. Eighhty people died in the fire.

K5DH · **Posted:** Fri Nov 02, 2012 7:50 am

JohnB wrote:

I have an autographed copy of "Check Six".

Me too. Great book!

Blue skies, "Boots"...

Ztex · **Posted:** Fri Nov 02, 2012 3:37 pm

Super nice guy....

Blessing and prayers for the General and his Family.

wls3 · **Posted:** Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:14 pm

Sad news. The General lived only a few miles up the road from me.
Would see him around from time to time. I always asked about his golf game.
He liked to talk about that. Heard him at events speak about his career a few times.
Recommend reading both his books. No Guts, No Glory and Check Six.
I will remember the twinkle in his eye and his smile.
Blue skies and God Speed Boots.

Chappie · **Joined:** Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:40 am **Posts:** 987

Wow, first I read about the passing of Corvette racing legend John Fitch and now Boots Blesse. So sad to lose our heroes.

Chappie

Randy Haskin · **Posted:** Sat Nov 03, 2012 7:57 pm

Sad to hear.

Boots had a special connection with the 4th Fighter Wing, and visited/spoke/partied with us at Seymour Johnson frequently in the early '00s. A total class act -- I really enjoyed what he had to say.

To this day, I still teach many of the points he codified in "No Guts, No Glory" to the up-and-coming generation of fighter pilots I'm involved with training. Many of his lessons learned in Korea form the backbone of USAF fighter aviation even today.

Throw a nickel on the grass, save a fighter pilot's a$$....

12XU2A3X3 · **Posted:** Sun Nov 04, 2012 6:53 pm

Randy Haskin wrote:

Throw a nickel on the grass, save a fighter pilot's a$$....

halleluiah, throw a nick on the grass and you'll be safe

SPANNERmkV · **Posted:** Mon Nov 05, 2012 11:24 am

Fair tailwinds...

He and his wife came to Midlands Air Show the year he got inducted into the Airmen Combat Hall of fame.

Prayers up for him and his family,

SPANNER

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Farewell "Boots" Blesse

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