Hickory Aviation Museum

Today in MilAvHist, 7/11/1953, USMC Major John Bolt became the first USMC jet ace of the Korean War, flying an F-86 Sabre on his 37th combat mission in the aircraft type. His total of 6 victories were against MiG 15's. He was also an ace in WWII flying with VMF-214 in F4U Corsairs with 6 victories over Japanese Zeros.

Major Bolt had been flying stateside in the F2H Banshee and then transitioned to the Sabre. In 1951, he was sent to VMA-115 flying the F9F Panther, however he did not care for the mission flying bombing and close air support missions of which he flew 94 sorties. He ran into a past acquaintance, a USAF fighter squadron Commanding Officer, who agreed to an "exchange tour" for him and he began flying Sabres, much to the anger of the USMC higher ups.

Bolt was assigned to learn from the top pilot with the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 1LT Joseph McConnell, who would tally 16 aerial victories against MiGs. Despite the difference in rank, they became very tight both on the ground and in the air and eventually flew as wingmen to each other.

Major Bolt was from Laurens, SC, and retired in 1962 after 21 years of service with the rank of LtCol. By all accounts, Major Bolt was very well respected as a leader and pilot and was awarded the Navy Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross among numerous medals. When he passed away in 2004, he was the last of the seven pilots who were dual aces in WWII and Korea. (USN Photo).