Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:33 am
Several of the later-arriving fighter groups were led on their first few missions by Col. Don. He took the opportunity to fly "his" 354th FG Mustang back to Debden on several occasions to show his boys what they were gonna get if he had his way ...
Short story ... a few years ago a former 4th FG pilot bought a print from me. He mentioned that the 4th FG Association was going to have a reunion in Savannah later that year, and he EXPECTED me to attend. Yes Sir! It was a short 6-hour drive for me, so I had no excuse. I was told that Col. Blakeslee was due to make an appearance. Wow! Man, I was excited!
Blakeslee had only begun attenting reunions in 1979 or so after being invited for years ... the 4th FG alums said that when he walked into that first reunion they all thought they were seeing a ghost ...
Late into the first evening in Savannah, I was standing in front of my "One-Man Air Force" painting featuring Don Gentile when I saw Col. Don walk in. Holy smokes! He went to the bar (always a fighter pilot!) and I resumed talking to another fellow explaining my painting. After a good discussion with the guy, I turned around and Col. Don was standing right behind me. He had been listening to our conversation. All I could muster was, "How ya doin', Colonel?!" as I shook his hand.
He smiled, and we started talking about Gentile (he liked him, but Gentile broke the standing rule against breaking an airplane while showing off, and as a result one of them was going to have to go, and Col. Don said, "It wasn't going to be me.") I had the pleasure of "explaining" my painting to him. Truly the highlight of my art career. Impressions? Soft spoken, but even into his late 80s you could see the fire in his eyes ...
Here's an "after-action' report I posted shortly after the Savannah meeting ... really need to update the shots as they were posted before I had a scanner:
http://wademeyersart.tripod.com/id21.html
Wade
Short story ... a few years ago a former 4th FG pilot bought a print from me. He mentioned that the 4th FG Association was going to have a reunion in Savannah later that year, and he EXPECTED me to attend. Yes Sir! It was a short 6-hour drive for me, so I had no excuse. I was told that Col. Blakeslee was due to make an appearance. Wow! Man, I was excited!
Blakeslee had only begun attenting reunions in 1979 or so after being invited for years ... the 4th FG alums said that when he walked into that first reunion they all thought they were seeing a ghost ...
Late into the first evening in Savannah, I was standing in front of my "One-Man Air Force" painting featuring Don Gentile when I saw Col. Don walk in. Holy smokes! He went to the bar (always a fighter pilot!) and I resumed talking to another fellow explaining my painting. After a good discussion with the guy, I turned around and Col. Don was standing right behind me. He had been listening to our conversation. All I could muster was, "How ya doin', Colonel?!" as I shook his hand.
He smiled, and we started talking about Gentile (he liked him, but Gentile broke the standing rule against breaking an airplane while showing off, and as a result one of them was going to have to go, and Col. Don said, "It wasn't going to be me.")
I had the pleasure of "explaining" my painting to him. Truly the highlight of my art career. Impressions? Soft spoken, but even into his late 80s you could see the fire in his eyes ...
Here's an "after-action' report I posted shortly after the Savannah meeting ... really need to update the shots as they were posted before I had a scanner:
http://wademeyersart.tripod.com/id21.html
Wade
Thu Sep 04, 2008 10:21 am
Shortly after being assigned to Debden Field in England, he was "entertaining"
two English WAAFS in his room. Word came that a general was coming to see him.
The two ladies, half-attired, bailed out of his room window and landed right in
front of the general and another officer. The other officer said " That Blakeslee
should be demoted!". The general replied, "For one maybe, for two he
should be promoted!"
He was reinstated to Captain two weeks later. A great fighter leader.
two English WAAFS in his room. Word came that a general was coming to see him.
The two ladies, half-attired, bailed out of his room window and landed right in
front of the general and another officer. The other officer said " That Blakeslee
should be demoted!". The general replied, "For one maybe, for two he
should be promoted!"
He was reinstated to Captain two weeks later. A great fighter leader.
Thu Sep 04, 2008 11:52 am
Godspeed Colonel.
Thu Sep 04, 2008 11:57 am
Are we sure about this? I googled and haven't found any comfirmation anywhere.
Thu Sep 04, 2008 12:24 pm
fotobass wrote:Are we sure about this? I googled and haven't found any comfirmation anywhere.
Within the last couple of hours I got this email which, in addition to my first source, confirms 100% Col. Don's passing:
Col. Donald J. M. Blakeslee passed away yesterday morning, 3 September 2008.
His daughter Dawn, says that his ashes will be interred at Arlington Cemetary along with his wife Lee's ashes at a future date.
He will be missed by the 4th Fighter Group Vets and friends.
Bruce Zigler
President
Association 4th Fighter Group WWII
Now I can say it - God rest your soul, Colonel.
Wade
Thu Sep 04, 2008 2:39 pm
On my short list of things to do was meet Colonel Blakeslee but it was not to be, I got within one day of doing so but when we called he had the flu and said we should stay away, I had to leave Florida the next day, I will forever regret not getting to shake his hand in person and say thankyou. I spoke with him several times and he was an opinionated fighter pilot to the end. I asked him why he never attended aces symposiums with former enemies. He "bristled" at the thought of being in the same room with those that had tried to kill him and did kill so to many of his friends.
To me, Colonel Don is the embodiment of a combat leader
I am at a loss for words and do not feel the least bit ashamed at spilling a few tears over his passing.
He would have been 91 next Thursday 9/11
We all owe so much to these great men and must not let them be forgotten
God Bless you Colonel
Gary
To me, Colonel Don is the embodiment of a combat leader
I am at a loss for words and do not feel the least bit ashamed at spilling a few tears over his passing.
He would have been 91 next Thursday 9/11
We all owe so much to these great men and must not let them be forgotten
God Bless you Colonel
Gary
Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:00 pm
May the Lord ease his family's pain and take Col. Blakeslee into his gentle embrace and tell him JOB WELL DONE!