Captain RICHARD 'ZEKE' CORMIER USN., March 2001 - fighter ace and war hero who led the Blue Angels and helped guide the world-famous San Diego Aerospace Museum, has died at the age of 81. Richard Cormier served with UC-I aboard the U.S.S. Card in the Atlantic flying both the Wildcat and the Avenger, and was commended for an attack against a German U-boat. In March 1944 he was assigned to VF-80 flying the F6F Hellcat from the U.S.S. Ticonderoga during the campaign against the Philippine Islands, and in strikes against Iwo Jima and Okinawa. On 14 Dec. 44, over Luzon, "Zeke" shot down 4 japanese planes earning a silver star.With 8 victories to his credit during World War II, 'Zeke' Cormier flew in the Korean War and later as leader of the famous 'Blue Angels'. He retired from the Navy in 1964.

Vorse, Albert Ogden ,Camp Hill, Pa.
Vorse, Albert O. "Scoop"; Lt-LtCdr, USN
~~~ VF-2/VF-3, CO Red5 VF-6, CAG-80/Detach 10.5 kills: ~~~
Vorse was Commander of air group 80 on USS Ticonderoga when they began raids on the Phillipines. In VF-80's first aerial combat during a strike over Airfields in Manilla, P.I., Lt.Cmdr Vorse, flying an F6F-5 hellcat with his fighter squadron VF-80 shot down one Japanese "oscar" and damaged another. During the aerial combat 5 enemy aircraft were destroyed and at least 6 others damaged. VF-80 lost two planes in the combat. With the exception of Cmdr. Vorse and Cmdr. Leroy Keith (VF-80 commanding Officer) it was the first combat for the rest of the squadron who became known as "Vorse's Vipers" Vorse flew with several squadrons thru many campaigns in the pacific before becoming CO of air group 80. He finished his world war two flying career with 10 1/2 kills.
"Scoop" Vorse was one of the 'few' who were responsible for developing the tactics that later stood in good stead the whole of the US effort against the Japanese. Men such as Vorse, John Thatch and Butch O'Hare exerted far greater influence over their service than their rank indicated. Through their efforts and courage, along with those of , Bill Leonard, Wade McClusky and others, they showed how to fight the Japanese and win, at a time when others were losing.
Vorse was awarded numerous medals and awards for his service including the Navy Cross.
After departing air group 80, Vorse remained in the navy and retired as a Rear Admiral in January 1959

Lieutenant Commander Franz Kanaga, LT.CMDR. Kanaga took command of Ticonderoga's VB-87 on 5 January 1945. On July 24, 1945 with our air group 87, he led a squadron of dive bombers toward the Japanese battleship Hyuga in the inland Sea of Japan. Kanaga bombed the ship but his plane was heavily damaged by flak and he was forced to make an emergency landing after losing hydraulic fluid and radio contact.

Jim Vernon., Jim was a carrier pilot in our air group VBF-87 during the final months of the war. . He wrote a book which gives an up-close-and-personal account of life in a bomber-fighter squadron and the roller-coaster emotions involved in combat sorties over the hostile sea and land. As a member of VBF-87, Vernon offers a unique glimpse into the past at a time when as teenagers, they matured rapidly as they faced the realities of war, his love of flying, and the camaraderie of his flying mates, along with the factual details of battle that contribute important dimensions to the overall story of the air war.

Rear Admiral Irwin Chase, Jr., US Navy, Retired., a decorated veteran of World War II, died on Sunday, (June 3, 2001)
In 1944, he joined the fast aircraft carrier Ticonderoga as navigator, and saw action in the Western Pacific and China Sea with the Third Fleet, Admiral Halsey commanding, and Task Force 38, under Vice Admiral McCain. Having endured a typhoon in December, 1944, Ticonderoga was attacked and damaged by Japanese kamikaze planes near Formosa on 21 January, 1945. With both her captain and executive officer wounded, and heavy casualties to her crew, then Commander Chase lead successful fire fighting and damage control efforts and brought the carrier back to her base at Ulithi. Chase was awarded the Silver Star for this action.

Lieutenant Alexander Louis Anderson, Born in New Rochelle, New York on February 28, 1916, Alexander Anderson became a U.S. Naval ACE during World War II, and was credited with destroying 5.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat .Lieutenant Alexander Louis Anderson of Millbrook, New York, flew with our air group 80 as a member of Bombing Fighting Squadron 80 (VBF-80) aboard USS Ticonderoga CV-14 and USS Hancock CV-19. He became an "Ace in a day" while leading a division of planes on a fighter sweep against enemy air power. He was awarded the NAVY CROSS for his actions

Joseph E. Cotey, Joseph E. Cotey, 82, of Lake Forest, passed away on April 9, 2006. Mr. Cotey was a World War II fighter pilot with VF-80 aboard USS Ticonderoga, and former owner of Cotey Office Environments. Loving husband of Mary Jane for 59 years;
On 21 January 1945, when the Big T was hit by two kamikazes Mr. Cotey was flying CAP(combat air patrol) when eight Japanese kamikaze appeared over the carrier, Mr. cotey was credited with shooting down three of them, and sharing a fourth with another pilot. Other pilots of the group shot down two others, leaving two that crashed into the ship. As bad as the damage and loss of life was from those two, it may have been much worse if not for the heroic actions of Mr. Cotey and the rest of the groups courageous pilots and ships crew.
Mr. Cotey was the beloved father of Edward, William (Mary) and Richard (Carey) Cotey; adored grandfather of 12; cherished brother of June Falardeau.

Charles Downey, At 85, Chuck Downey isn't yet ready to slow down or sit around just passing time. A small airport nearby his home in Illinois, he still takes to the skies usually in one of several vintage airplanes, One he built himself and some with others. His current plans include building a WWII TBM avenger with friends. When not flying or building he keeps on the go at speaking engagements or spending time with family. For those of you who do not know Captain Downey's history, he entered Naval service in October 1942 and participated in carrier training on Lake Michigan aboard the Wolverine. He was the Youngest navy pilot of WWII. Six weeks younger than George Bush. He saw combat duty flying the SB2C in WWII with VB-80 aboard CV-14, the U.S.S. Ticonderoga. In 1944 Captain Downey was credited (along with another bomber aircraft) with sinking a Japanese light cruiser in the Phillippines, for which he was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross. Captain Downey also received the Air Medal for the destruction of an enemy hangar on a Tokyo airfield during the first carrier based aircraft attack on Japan (Doolittle's raid not counted due to the fact B-25s are not carrier based aircraft). Captain Downey went on to serve 33 years in Naval Aviation Service and in 1964 was promoted to the rank of Captain, making him the youngest such Officer at the time. Over his career in the Navy Captain Downey received a number of medals and citations during his service in WWII and beyond, thus distinguishing him as a true American Hero.

Edward L. Anderson, Captain Edward Lee Anderson of Claremont, Virginia enlisted in the Navy in 1932 and was accepted to the Naval Academy in 1934. In the bttle of Midway, he served as a Section Leader of a bombing squadron aboard the Enterprise and for his actions was awarded the Navy Cross.
;From January 1944 to January 1945 he served aboard the USS Ticonderoga.CV-14 He was the commanding officer of Bombing Squadron 80 and flew the SB2C. While serving on the USS Ticonderoga, he was severely injured in two Kamikaze attacks and received a Purple Heart as a result of these
After the war he served on USS Midway as Air Officer, and on the USS Forrestal as the Executive Officer until 1956. In 1958 he was given his first command of a surface ship the USS Onslow, which was a seaplane tender. On June 6, 1961 he was given command of the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. On July 1, 1968 he retired from the Navy after a 32-year career. The video to the right is a tribute to this great naval aviator.

CAPT, LeRoy W. Keith USN, naval ace flew from carriers USS Savannah, USS Ticonderoga and USS Tarawa and was CO of VF-80. His decorations included the Navy Cross.

Robert L.Butcher, 1923-2009, PLEASANT PLAINS - Robert L. Butcher of Pleasant Plains passed away Aug. 2, 2009, in Phoenix. He was born Aug. 15, 1923, in Wilkensburg, PA, the son of Charles A. and Lucia G. Butcher.
He was a pilot in the U.S. Navy during World War II, participating in the Pacific campaigns aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Ticonderoga, squadron VBF 87. His military career continued in the Naval Reserve as a lieutenant commander until 1959. Following completion of his war duty, Bob attended and graduated from Iowa State University.
Bob's long career included management of a branch office for Refco futures; owner of and grain dealer for H & B Specialties, a grain exporter; a commodity trader with Plains Commodities and a participant in the acquisition and growth of the Town and Country Bank, Springfield, IL. His love of flying continued throughout his life as he piloted various aircraft for government figures, executives and for his family. Surviving are his children, Robert W. Butcher, Richard Butcher, Diane Clemmons and Paul O'Berry; seven grandchildren; and four stepchildren and their children. Those who wish to remember Bob in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation in honor of Robert Butcher. All checks may be made payable to NAMF at 1750 Radford Blvd, Suite B, NAS Pensacola, FL 32508.