Naval Academy in Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Blue Angels
[Plaque near the display:]
1946-2011
[Plaque within display:]
History
At the end of World War II, the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, ordered the formation of a flight demonstration team to retain the public interest in Naval Aviation. The Blue Angels performed their first demonstration June 1946 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville FL. LCDR Roy "Butch" Voris lead the team, flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat. August 25, 1946, the Blue Angels transitioned to the Grumman F8F Bearcat.
By the end of the 40's, the Blue Angels flew their first jet aircraft, the Grumman F9F-2 Panther.
In 1950, responding to demands placed on naval aviation by the Korean Conflict, the team reported to the aircraft carrier USS Princeton as the nucleus of Fighter Squadron 191 "Satan's Kittens".
1951, the team reformed under Voris and reported to NAS Corpus Christi TX flying the F9F-5 Panther.
1954, the Blue Angels reocated to NAS Pensacola FL flying Swept Wring Grumman F9F-8 Cougars.
1957, the Blue Angels transitioned to F11F-1 Tigers.
1969, the team transitioned to the F4J Phantom II.
December 1974, the Blue Angels began flying McDonnell-Douglas A4F Skyhawk 11's and reorganized into the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron commanded by Cdr Tony Less.
November 8, 1986, the Blue Angels completed their 40th anniversary year unveiling their present aircraft, the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, the first dual role fighter/attack aircraft.
To date, the Blue Angels have performed before more than 463 million fans.
Randie and Hank Nothhaft USNA '66
In memory of Randie's father, Captain Roy M. "Butch" Voris,
World War II fighter ace and the first flight leader of the Blue Angels.
Erected by Randie and Hank Nothhaft USNA '66.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1946.
Location. 38° 59.012′ N, 76° 30.424′ W. Memorial is in Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. It is in Naval Academy. It is on Taylor Avenue (Maryland Route 435) north of Melrose Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis MD 21401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Central Maryland. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 559 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 29, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.


