Blood Red Skies – Boots Blesse

Frederick Corbin “Boots” Blesse (August 22, 1921 October 31, 2012) was a United States Air Force major general and flying ace. Graduating from the United States Military Academy in 1945, he subsequently flew two combat tours during the Korean War, completing 67 missions in P-51s, 35 missions in F-80s and 121 missions in F-86s.

For the first tour he was assigned to Fighter-Bomber Squadrons. The latter tour, in which he piloted the F-86, is where he was officially credited with shooting down nine MiG-15s and one La-9. This earned him the accolade, at the time of the conclusion of his tour, in 1952, of being America’s top jet ace.

During the second tour in F-86s, as part of the 334th Fighter-Interceptor squadron he was officially credited with shooting down nine MiG-15s and one La-9, as well as (unofficially) an additional probable kill, and three more enemy aircraft damaged. At the time of his return to the United States in October 1952, he was America’s leading jet ace. Contains 1 Resin Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star Aircraft and game cards.