Double-Ace Was One Of The Original Black Sheep

Jack Bolt first made his mark on the aviation world as one of Pappy Boyington's Black Sheep, downing six Japanese Zeros in the Solomon Islands in 1943 and 1944. Then he knocked down six North Korean MiGs during the Korean conflict, making him an ace in two wars.

Jack Bolt died of leukemia earlier this month at a hospital in Tampa (FL), near his home in New Smyrna Beach. The retired USMC lieutenant colonel was 86.

Born in Laurens (SC), Bolt grew up in Sanford (FL) and attended two years of college at the University of Florida before enlisting in the Marines in 1941. It was in 1943 that he joined a band of Marine aviation misfits who formed the 214th Squadron -- the Black Sheep.

Twice in two different wars, Bolt shot down two aircraft in a single battle. In the Korean War, Bolt flew with the USAF's 39th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. His last two kills came on July 11th, 1953, near the Manchurian border with North Korea.

Bolt was awarded the Navy Cross and three Distinguished Flying Crosses before he retired from the Marines in 1962.

Lt. Col. John Franklin "Jack" Bolt (USMC, Ret.) has gone west, where there are no bogies and no flame-outs. Happy landings, Colonel.

FMI: www.frenkenstein.com/ww2/Black_Sheep/Black_Sheep.htm