Roy
"Butch" Voris
"Blue Angel
Number One"
F6F Hellcat
By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette
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Angel Number One, autographed by
Butch.
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Print Size 18x24"
Limited Edition $95.00 Signed by Butch Voris
Open Edition $25.00 Signed by the Artist
Roy M. "BUTCH" Voris
By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette
In February, 1942, Roy "Butch" Voris was commissioned an Ensign and was designated a Naval aviator. The war in the Pacific was tenuous and the United States Navy was suffering from a shortage of aircraft carriers. With every confrontation with the Japanese an American Flattop was lost or damaged. Butch was entering the fight at the right time for a young man of his age. Newly trained with wings of Gold on his chest Butch was sent to the now famous battles of the war.
Butch flew the Grumman F4F "Wildcat" from the aircraft carrier Enterprise on his first war cruse. On his second cruise he flew the Grumman F6F "Hellcat". Butch would serve from the carriers Enterprise, Hornet and from Guadalcanal in support of the First Marines during his combat career. It was at Guadalcanal that Butch was wounded in aerial combat and earned the Purple Heart.
I would like to add here some history leading to the next mission Butch was to undertake. Attacks on the fleet by enemy bombers at night were always a concern. The Japanese were famous for their nightly nuisance raids on Guadalcanal. The Navy or Marines would always attempt to pursue the nightly raiders in a fly-by-the-seat of your pants, fly at your own risk missions. Many of the nightly volunteer sorties were successful but they with rife with risk. At this moment in WWII history attacks against U.S. landing forces at Tarawa were un-nerving the Marines. Plus the Japanese was causing collateral damage.
Butch was selected by Admiral Radford and Commander "Butch" O’Hare as one of four fighter pilots to conduct experimental night fighter operations. The crew Butch was selected for was the kind-of the official start of a night-fighting squadron for the US Navy. The squadron would be deployed from just one carriers to fly cover for the fleet at night. The team was led by Butch O'Hare, the famous hero from the Battle of the Coral Sea. The team consisted of a TBM which carried the electronic equipment and radar. Butch O'Hare and Butch Voris with the other pilots flew along at night being vectored to enemy targets by the TBM flying with them. The nightly experiments were going well until one night a freak hap-n-stance occurred. For what ever reason Butch O'Hare pulled up along side the TBM in a menacing way. It was a dark night, the aircraft appeared seemingly out-of-nowhere, a nervous naval gunner. Well what happened was O'Hare pulled up along the TBM and the rear gunner of the Grumman shot him down and killed him. Just how friendly is friendly fire?
After the war ended Butch had been awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses, eleven Air Medals, three Presidential Unit Citations, and the Purple Heart. He was also credited with seven aerial victories and several other probable. He had participated in numerous fighter sweeps against enemy airfields and other enemy installations as the Navy advanced through the Pacific.
After the war, Butch was stationed at NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE in the Advanced Training Command. In early 1946, The Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations directed the establishment of a Navy Flight Exhibition Team to demonstrate precision fighter maneuvers at Navy air shows and at public events.
Butch was selected to be the Officer-in-Charge and Leader of this precision flying group. As Blue Angel number one Butch would lead his team into Naval Aviation history.
In forming the Navy Demonstration Flight Team, Butch was given the opportunity to select his aircraft, pilots and maintenance personnel from the best the Navy had to offer. Pilots were selected on personal knowledge, and the maintenance personnel from the best in each specialized rating. The Grumman F6F "Hellcat" was selected because of its outstanding flight characteristics. Modifications reduced the aircraft weight. The tail hook was removed along with the armor for the pilot. Weight was reduced as much as possible. The new paint scheme was "Blue and Gold," traditional navy colors.
After review and approval by their high command, the team flew its first air show at the Southeastern Air Exposition at Craig Airfield, Jacksonville, Florida. For its first public performance the team received its first trophy, which now sits in a place of honor at the home of the Blue Angels in Pensacola, Florida. The name "BLUE ANGELS" was selected by the team, and now for the past fifty years, the "Blue Angels" have served the Nation and the Navy well in breath taking performances before millions of people world wide.
In his first tour with the Blue Angels, "Butch" flew the F6F "Hellcat" and the F8F "Bearcat". The Korean War disrupted the Blue Angles as they were commission back into an active unit serving together with pride in combat. In 1951 Butch was again ordered to reform and lead the team flying the F9F "Panther" jet.
During his Navy career Butch commanded Fighter Squadron 113, Fighter Squadron 191 and Attack Carrier Air Group 5.
In both war and peace Butch Voris has shown the spirit that we call AMERICAN! Butch wears the mantle of "Blue Angel Number One" and is still called "BOSS" by the others "BLUES". It is a pleasure as an artist and a historian to be able to work with such a true AMERICAN HERO. ERNIE H. BOYETTE
Sadly Butch passed away on August 11, 2005. Our country was so lucky to have had such an honest and brave aviator represent us.
If I am not mistaken, my "Blue Angel Number One" was the only print signed by Butch.
Tennessee "Hog Heaven" Pork Barbecue
Below is a hand typed recipe for barbecue pork by Butch Voris. He typed this on a type writer.
This was sent to me by Cathy Lederer. Cathy called me after reviewing this page of Butch.
Cathy called me and said that she worked with Butch when he was a consultant at NASA during the first shuttle missions. I really felt comfortable talking to Cathy because it was obvious that she knew Butch as I did. When I say that I mean that Butch was a fine man, an honest straight person. A great guy to be around and to know and work with. Cathy told me that her time working with Butch was an honor and I would agree. Butch was a great American and an easy person to work with.
I am adding this to this page to honor Butch and to share this with everyone. I do not mind everyone coping and using the recipe as long as you do not claim it as yours!
I say we give it a new name, don't you? Let's call it "Butch's Hog Heaven Blue."
Please enjoy and if you try it, e-mail me and let me know how it turns out.
"Butch's Hog Heaven Blue."
Butch's Hellcat he became an Ace in. This painting has been signed by Butch.
F8F Bearcat flown by Butch.
Blue Angel F-9 Panther flown by Butch for the Blue Angels after the Korean War ended.
I have original paintings signed by Butch that would be a great investment for a Blue Angel collector.
One painting is of the F6F Hellcat.
One of his F4F Wildcat he flew on Guadalcanal.
One painting is of his F6F he flew in combat.
The last two are of the Bear Cat and the Panther he flew with the "Blues".
These paintings will be sold as a group only.
If you are interested in this collection please call. 904-282-4198
All original paintings are autographed by Butch.
Here I am with Butch Voris and the Blue Angel Number One for 1996 at the Blue Angel 50th anniversary at N.A.S. Jacksonville, Florida.
Here is Butch autographing the prints.
These are the paintings I did of all the aircraft that Butch flew. Butch personally autographed each painting.
All research, writings and artwork are by Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette.
No one is permitted to republish any part of this story with out my personal permission.
Please call or e-mail me for any use of this story.
I do not mind sharing, just call or e-mail and ask for permission.
Sir. Ernie Hamilton Boyette
904-282-4198
e-mail: aviationartstore@peoplepc.com
Started 2-10-07