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Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Franklin
Bolt
, Jr.
May 19, 1921

–

September 8, 2004

John Bolt, a member of the famed “Black Sheep Squadron”, became a World War II Marine Corps ACE, credited with shooting down SIX enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He went on to distinguish himself flying F-86 Sabre jets during the Korean War where he was the recipient of the Navy Cross for his extraordinary heroism on 11 July 1953. He is believed to be the last “double ace,” having shot down six Japanese Zeros in the Pacific and six MiG 15 aircraft in Korea. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he went to Law School at the University of Florida, and practiced law for many years before retiring in 1991.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 214 (VMF-214)

    Action Date:

    September 12 – October 22, 1943
    Heroes U.S. Marine Corps 1861 – 1955 (Jane Blakeney)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant John Franklin Bolt, Jr. (MCSN: 0-13522), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Section Leader for Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN (VMF-214). During the period 12 September to 22 October 1943, he flew 38 missions for a total of 73.0 hours in the Central Solomons Area, participating in strike escorts, task force cover, strafing missions, fighter sweeps and patrols. On 23 September 1943, while participating in a strike escort mission to Ballale, he engaged a numerically superior formation of enemy fighters. In the ensuing action Lieutenant Bolt expertly and courageously pressed home the attack with such determination that he destroyed two Zeros. On 16 October 1943, returning from an escort mission to Kara Airfield, Bougainville, in weather so foul that the bombers were unable to locate the target, he observed enemy shipping activity in Tonolei Harbor, S.E. Bougainville. Pancaking at Vella Lavella and gassing his plane, he took off, flew on instruments to North Choiseul, came down through the storm to a 40-foot level and made a strafing run through the mouth of the harbor in the face of severe anti-aircraft fire and with total disregard for his personal safety, destroyed a cargo vessel and damaged another cargo vessel. With only one gun functioning, he returned down the harbor, receiving intense anti-aircraft fire from all sides and returned safely to his base. On 17 October 1943, while participating in a fighter sweep over Kahili, he engaged a numerically superior formation of enemy fighters and destroyed one Zero. In all his missions, Lieutenant Bolt had displayed high courage, intrepidity and superior airmanship of the highest order.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    39th Fighter-Inceptor Squadron

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    July 11, 1953
    Commanding General 1st Marine Aircraft Wing: Serial: 1344 (August 18, 1953)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Major John Franklin Bolt, Jr. (MCSN: 0-13522), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while attached to the First Marine Aircraft Wing and serving as Pilot of a Plane in the THIRTY-NINTH Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Fifth Air Force, in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 11 July 1953. Sighting four hostile jet interceptors immediately after the second section of his four-plane flight was forced to retire from the area because of a low fuel supply during a reconnaissance mission deep in enemy territory, Major Bolt quickly maneuvered his aircraft and that of his wingman into attack position and deliberately engaged the numerically superior enemy in a head-on firing run, destroying one of the hostile planes with his initial burst of fire. Although his fuel supply was dangerously low, he initiated repeated attacks on the remaining enemy aircraft and severely damaging the engine section of the lead interceptor, resolutely pressed his attack against the crippled plane until the enemy pilot was forced to bail out. By his exceptional courage and superb airmanship in destroying the two aircraft, Major Bolt raised his total of enemy jet planes destroyed during the Korean conflict to six, thereby becoming the first jet ace in the history of Marine Corps aviation. His inspiring leadership and great personal valor reflect the highest credit upon himself and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    Marine Fighting Squadron 214 (VMF-214)

    Action Date:

    November 27, 1943 – April 26, 1944
    Commander South Pacific: Serial 001602 (July 14, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain John Franklin Bolt, Jr. (MCSN: 0-13522), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Section and Division Leader in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED FOURTEEN (FMV-214) and subsequently in Marine Fighting Squadron TWHO HUNDRED ELEVEN (VMF-211) in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago Areas, from 27 November 1943 to 26 April 1944. Fearless and determined in the face of powerful opposition, Captain Bolt led his group on a bold fighter sweep over the enemy-held Rabaul airfields on 23 December, and, engaging a numerically superior force of enemy fighters, pressed home an attack which resulted in the destruction of two hostile planes and the infliction of severe damage on a third. Operating again over Rabaul on 1 and 4 January 1944, he shot down one and severely damaged two other Japanese craft and, several days later, plunged through relentless anti-aircraft fire to strafe the Borpop Airfield, setting fire to a large fuel dump and bombing a plane on the runway. By his superb airmanship and gallant fighting spirit during numerous strike escorts, fighter sweeps, patrols and strafing missions carried out under hazardous conditions, Captain Bold contributed materially to the success of his squadron’s aerial offensive and his unfaltering devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    39th Fighter-Inceptor Squadron

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 16, 1953

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross (Air Force Award) to Major John Franklin Bolt, Jr. (MCSN: 0-13522), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while flying with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against the enemy in Korea on 16 May 1953. Major Bold was flying the number three position in a flight of six F-86 Sabre Jets on a Yalu River patrol when he sighted twelve enemy MiG-15s. In order to provide protection for his wingman, hw was lagging behind, Major Bolt slowed his aircraft, disregarding the increased vulnerability of his own plane to enemy attack. Through superior airmanship, he then maneuvered his two plane attacking force into firing position on the enemy flight. Although forced into the defensive several times by the numerically superior enemy aircraft, Major Bolt tenaciously pursued one of the MiG-15s, and by repeatedly firing damaging bursts into the engine section, he forced the enemy pilot to bail out. In this encounter, Major Bolt displayed the courage, ability and tenacity of purpose that has constantly distinguished his tour of duty with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, and through these efforts he has reflected great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps and the United States Air Force.