BLUE ANGELS' LEADER WAS AN ACE AT 21

Ever since he reached his 21st birthday, the new leader of the Blue Angels claims nothing very exciting has happened to him. LCdr. Arthur R. Hawkins, one of the Navy’s most decorated fighter pilots, was credited with shooting down 14 enemy planes at that age.

Hawkins succeeds LCdr. Roy M. (Butch) Voris as the Blue Angels leader. During WW II he served aboard the aircraft carriers Cabot and Belleau Wood. He flew 142 combat missions and was three times awarded the Navy Cross. In addition, he was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses, Four Air Medals and numerous campaign ribbons and battle stars. He is credited with a direct hit contributing to the sinking of the Japanese battleship Ise.