Blue Angel Roy 'Butch' Voris dies

MONTEREY, Calif., Aug. 12 (UPI) -- U.S. Navy Capt. Roy "Butch" Voris, an original Blue Angel who went from flying biplanes to jets, has died at in his Monterey, Calif., home at age 86.

Voris's Navy career began in the early 1930s. By the end of World War II, he had shot down at least eight Japanese fighter planes, earning himself the status of "ace," as well as three Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Purple Heart and more than a dozen other medals, CNN reported Friday.

In 1946, Adm. Chester Nimitz handpicked Voris to organize a flight team to showcase naval aviation. The group became known as the Blue Angels.

Voris retired from the Navy as a captain and went to work with Grumman Aircraft, where he was involved in the development of the F-14 Tomcat, which is still a key part of naval aviation, CNN reported.

Voris, who died Wednesday, is survived by two daughters, their husbands and three grandsons. He is also survived by two brothers. His wife, Thea, died in 2003.