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Melvin Dale Blixt
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Author:  Stearman75972 [ Tue Dec 09, 2014 4:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Melvin Dale Blixt

Melvin Blixt, 90 of Irvine, California, died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014. On Nov. 22, a military private graveside service was held followed by a Memorial Church Service.
Mel Blixt, the son of Elmer and Esther Blixt of Aurora was born and raised on a farm northwest of Aurora. He graduated from Aurora High School with the class of 1941. In 1943, during WWII. he entered the Navy as an Aviation Cadet. He was designated a Naval aviator in 1944. He later served with squadrons in flying the SBD Dauntless and SB2C Helldiver. During a period of inactive duty, he received his flight instructor license and worked at Elge Airport, Aurora’s first airport, providing student flight instruction and aerial spraying.
Mel married Martha Titman (a 1948 graduate of AHS) in 1950. He attended Kearney State Teachers College, receiving a BA degree in physical education. After a short coaching career, where he enjoyed an undefeated football season at Exeter, his reserve squadron was recalled to active duty . His squadron flew the TBM Avenger torpedo bomber at Lincoln airbase. In 1952, he joined attack squadron VA-95 at Alameda, CA, flying the A 1H Skyraider. While serving with VA-95, he deployed aboard the USS Philippine Sea during the Korean Conflict and made a world cruise aboard the USS Hornet. From 1955-57, he was assigned to the Naval Air Station, Los Alamitos, CA, as an assistant personnel officer. Subsequent assignments include student, General Line School, 1957; Aviation Electronics School, 1958; USS Hornet,, 1959-60; Operations Officer, VA-215, 1961-62; Armed Forces Staff College, 1963; and Operations and Executive Officer of VA - 122, 1963-64.
Captain Blixt assumed command of VA-145 in August, 1964, aboard the USS Constellation in Hong Kong. The squadron participated in retaliatory air strikes against North Vietnam. In October, 1966, after a tour of duty as navigator aboard the USS Ranger, he assumed duty as Commanding Officer of VA-122. From 1967 to 1970, Captain Blixt was a student an later instructor at the Naval War College. While there, he received his masters degree in international affairs from George Washington University. From July, 1970 through August, 1971, Captain’. Blixt served as Officer-in-Charge, Commander Seventh Fleet Detachment Charlie in Saigon, during which time his unit received the Meritorious Unit Citation. Prior to reporting to Naval Air Station, Los Alamitos, California, in June, 1973, as commanding officer, he served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Readiness, Commander Naval Air Reserve/Commander Naval Air Reserve Force, at Naval Air Station, Glenview, Illinois. Captain Blixt received numerous awards, including personal awards, commendations and campaign awards.
A highlight of his flying career is the distinction of being the first operational pilot to qualify in carrier landings in the A7A Corsair II jet attack aircraft . This was also his first jet carrier landing! He managed the introduction of the A7A into Pacific Fleet operational service. After his retirement from the Navy, with the rank as Captain, in 1975, Mel and Marty moved to Irvine, California, where they have resided for 39 years. Mel served as Vice President/Branch Manager at Home Savings of America Bank in Southern California for 10 years. Following his retirement from Home Savings, he served as consultant for Senior Housing Management Company, LOMCO, under HUD, traveling from Los Angeles to Oceanside, CA. He served in this capacity for 10 years.
After his last retirement, Mel enjoyed playing golf, walking, swimming, working out at 24-hour Fitness Gym, and serving on committees at his church in Irvine, and, of course, a Cornhusker fan!
In June, 2009 Mel was inducted into the Aurora High School Hall of Fame.
Mel was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister.
Survivors include: his wife, Marty, his son, Michael, daughter Debra Phillips, daughter, Cindy and Husband Jim Crowell, daughter Melinda and husband Joe Christofferson, and five grandchildren.

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