| John F. Bolt | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | "Jack" "Blot"[1] "Duke of Mukden"[2] |
| Born | 19 May 1921 Laurens, South Carolina |
| Died | 8 September 2004 (aged 84) Tampa Bay, Florida |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1941–1962 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Service number | O-13522[3] |
| Unit | Marine Fighter Squadron 214 Marine Fighter Squadron 211 Marine Fighter Squadron 471 Marine Fighter Squadron 215 Marine Fighther Squadron 224 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron |
| Commands held | Marine Attack Squadron 214 |
| Battles/wars | World War II Marshall Islands campaign New Guinea campaign Korean War MiG alley |
| Awards | Navy Cross Distinguished Flying Cross (3) |
| Other work | Lawyer |
John Franklin Bolt (19 May 1921 — 8 September 2004), was an aviator in the United States Marine Corps and a decorated flying ace during World War II and the Korean War. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant colonel and was the only US Marine to become an ace in two wars and the only Marine to be an ace in a jet engine fighter.
Born to a poor family in Laurens, South Carolina, Bolt was a self-described "workaholic" and was involved in numerous groups and social activities throughout his life. After dropping out of the University of Florida for financial reasons in 1941, Bolt joined the Marine Corps at the height of World War II. Sent to the Pacific Theatre of Operations he flew an F4U Corsair in the Marshall Islands campaign and the New Guinea campaign, claiming six victories against A6M Zeroes of the Empire of Japan.
Bolt continued his service through the Korean War, entering combat through an exchange program with the United States Air Force in late 1952. Over a period of several weeks in mid 1953, Bolt led flights of F-86 Sabres into combat with MiG-15s of the Chinese Air Force, scoring six victories in fights along the northern border of North Korea, commonly known as "MiG Alley," giving him 12 victories over his career.
Bolt stayed in the Marine Corps through 1962 as an analyst and instructor, before retiring and earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida. Bolt subsequently settled down in Florida and began a private real estate law practice. He continued to be active in law until his death of leukemia in 2004.
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John Bolt was born on 19 May 1921 in Laurens, South Carolina, to Thomas Crews Bolt. He was the older of two siblings with a brother, Bruce Bolt. In 1924 the family moved to Sanford, Florida. In his youth, John Bolt gained the nickname "Jack" from his friends and family.[4] His family was poor and he was for the most part responsible for providing his own clothes and social expenses from the time he was ten years old.[5] Bolt worked several part time jobs to cover this, and at one point he was working 30 to 40 hours a weak at a local creamery in addition to school. In addition to these obligations, Bolt enrolled in the Boy Scouts, eventually attaining the rank of Star Scout in the organization.[4]
Bolt attended Seminole High School in June 1939. He was elected Class President his final two years in school.[4] During this time he admitted to being "powerfully motivated" by an English teacher at the school named Margaret Lawson.[5] High school classmates described Bolt as modest and hardworking.[4]
Bolt then attended the University of Florida, with his parents paying some of his tuition money and supplementing the rest with what he had saved working through high school. Bolt majored in accounting and joined Phi Eta Sigma, an honor society and Professional fraternity. He also joined Alpha Tau Omega, a social fraternity. In 1941, Bruce Bolt also enrolled in Florida, straining the family's expenses. John Bolt chose to drop out after his second year so his brother could complete his degree.[4] Bolt enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in April 1941 to train as a pilot. The Marine Corps offered to pay him US$ 500 a year and give him the chance to finish college and attend law school.[6]
Bolt left for basic training with the United States Navy in June 1941. Though he intended to join the US Marine Corps, he signed up for the Navy Flight Training Program, which would allow him to fly for the Marines. He was selected to be a pilot in November 1941, and moved to Atlanta Naval Air Station in Atlanta, Georgia in February 1942. Bolt was placed on active duty just before the attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States entry into World War II.[7] At this point, Bolt began dating Dorothy E. Wiggins, whom he knew from Sanford. The two would marry after two years of dating.[4] They would subsequently have two children together, Robert and Barbara.[8] After completing his initial training, Bolt was moved to Jacksonville Naval Air Station for the next phase, where he started flight training in the AT-6 Texan. He also qualified to fly in the N3N Canary trainer aircraft. After this training, his final phase of training occurred in Opa Locka Naval Air Station in Miami, Florida where he trained on the Grumman F3F, a biplane which was the Navy's most advanced trainer at the time. Bolt completed this training on July 18, 1942 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps, with his Aviator wings pinned that day as well.[4]
After commissioning, Bolt was assigned as a Cadet Training Instructor, training other aviation cadets at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Green Cove, Florida until December 1942, at which time the unit was deactivated. From that time until May 1943 he was trained on the F4F Wildcat, a Carrier-based aircraft, in preparation for movement to a front-line combat unit.[9] Over the next few months, Bolt was stationed in Glencoe, Illinois where he trained for 60 hours aboard the paddlewheel aircraft carrier USS Wolverine. After qualifying to operate carrier-based aircraft, Bolt was assigned to Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego, California until June 1943. At this point, Bolt and his class departed aboard the USS Rochambeau (AP-63) for the Pacific Theatre.[4]
Bolt traveled to a number of islands on his way to the front lines. The Rochambeau stopped at New Caledonia and New Hebrides, avoiding submarines of the Empire of Japan. Bolt was part of a pool of new officers intending to replace casualties resulting from several military events, but as casualties were light in several key operations, this pool was formed into a squadron. The new squadron was designated VMF-214, known as the "Black Sheep" because of their status as officers without other units. Under the command of Major Pappy Boyington, the unit was equipped with F4U Corsairs and organized over several months, moved to the Russell Islands and ready for combat by September 13.[10] Although new to the war in the Pacific, Bolt had over 700 hours flying in the F4U Corsair which was more than many combat pilot had accrued in two combat tours.[11]
The next day the squadron began flying escort missions of B-24 Liberator bombers. The first several missions were relatively quiet, until 16 September. During another escort mission, VMF-214 was attacked by a group of 35 Japanese A6M Zeroes. The squadron repelled the strike, destroying 11 Japanese aircraft and losing only one of their own. Japanese forces had 200 aircraft at Kahili Airfield and Balalae Island, and was opposed by only 50 aircraft from the US squadrons in the area. Consequently, several costly engagements followed, though Bolt himself did not score any victories during these first battles. Bolt was promoted to First Lieutenant that month.[12]
Bolt got his first victories of the deployment on 23 September when he was with a flight of 15 VMF-214 aircraft that were escorting B-24 Liberators back from a raid on Kahili. The bombers had been followed by 20–30 A6M Zeros and the fight was soon on.[13] During the course of the ensuing dogfight over Bougainville, Bolt scored two victories.[14] His wingman Ed Harper claimed one. For the next several weeks, the squadron operated out of Munda.[12]
A self-described "workaholic[15] " Bolt was considered by the other pilots to be the most energetic member of the squadron. He and two other pilots were known as the "Quartermaster Kids" because they collected so many souvenirs and shipped them home. He could often be found in the harbor near their airstrip dynamiting fish and was known to organize many of the squadron's pig roasts and beer parties.[1] Bolt also took it upon himself to test out many different ammunition configurations for the .50 cal guns on the F4U during his free time. His research was conducted by firing rounds into 50-gallon drums partially filled with gasoline and at abandoned aircraft in the Espiritu Santo boneyard. His findings were that incendiary rounds were the true Zero killers leading to the squadron, and later most aircraft squadrons in the Pacific Theater, changing to an ammo configuration of six incendiary rounds for every one armor-piercing or tracer round. This differed from the standard method of one of each.[16][17]
Bolt became well known and at the same time drew the ire of his squadron's commanding officer during what began as an escort mission for B-24 Liberators.[18] The bombers were lost in the clouds and the flight ran into poor weather, causing them to turn for home. During the flight home, the US pilots noticed much Japanese surface traffic but did not engage because of the weather. On their way back to Munda one of the aircraft had maintenance issues and a group, of which Bolt was a part, had to land at Vella Lavella. Bolt tried to convince others to go with him to attack the ships they had seen, but they refused.[19] He refueled and took off, against Boyington's orders, and engaged Japanese barges in the vicinity of Tonolei Harbor, finally making his way back to Munda. He destroyed four enemy barges and strafed several ground concentrations but drew Boyington' wrath for disobeying a direct order.[20] This anger abated quickly though when the next day a telegram was received from Admiral William "Bull" Halsey stating, "THAT ONE MAN WAR...CONDUCTED BY LIEUT BOLT AGAINST JAP STUFF IN TONOLEI, WARM HEART (STOP) HALSEY."[18][21]
On 17 October, during a mission over Kahlili Airfield, Bolt's squadron was ambushed by Japanese fighters. Bolt downed one of the Japanese aircraft in his last mission before a scheduled R&R in Sydney, Australia.[18]
"During the last war, the Corsairs would have to make running passes at the Japanese Zeroes, being careful never to really tangle with them because the Zeroes could turn on a dime. In Korea, the MiGs made the passes and we made the turns, especially at higher altitudes."
When the squadron returned from its R&R, Bolt had been promoted to Captain and the squadron had been relocated to Vela Lavella. The new base was within 150 miles (240 km) of Rabaul, the center of Japanese activity in New Britain, and was the squadron's next primary target. The island was of great strategic importance as a harbor and had 98,000 Japanese troops on it in addition to several airfields, which were in striking distance of the Marshall Islands and which were manned by 400 Japanese aircraft. Strikes against Rabaul began in December.[18]
On 23 December, 16 Corsairs from VMF-214 were part of a force of 120 US fighters and bombers on a mission over Rabaul. The bombing mission against the city and harbor areas was countered by a large force of Japanese aircraft. While defending the bombers, Bolt shot down two more Japanese aircraft, making him the squadron's sixth flying ace. He was part of another mission on December 25 where his squadron mates claimed four victories, though Bolt himself claimed none of them. At this point, VMF-214 had 76 confirmed victories.[18]
On 3 January 1944, VMF-214 was part of a formation of 75 US aircraft conducting a raid around Rabaul. In a surprise attack, 300 Japanese aircraft engaged them. In the ensuing fight, Boyington was shot down and parachuted into the St. George's Channel. The next day, Bolt led a flight of four Corsairs of VMF-214 in search of Boyington. Despite hazy weather and indirect routes to avoid Japanese radar, Bolt managed to lead the flight to the area of the battle the day before. Though they did not spot Boyington, they engaged a flotilla of Japanese barges they spotted, destroying six of them. Bolt also claimed his sixth victory over a Japanese aircraft which had attempted to defend the barges. VMF-214 and Bolt's tour ended on 8 January 1944, five days after Boyington was shot down and captured by the Japanese. VMF-214 was disbanded and its pilots assigned to other units.[22] In his time with VMF-214, Bolt had been seen as a leader and accomplished pilot by the others in his unit. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross twice, and scored 6 confirmed victories and 3 probable victories in his 92 missions with the squadron.[23]
Bolt was reassigned to VMF-211, on an airbase on Nissan Island in the Green Islands, 75 miles (121 km) north of Bougainville and 100 miles (160 km) west of Rabaul. The aircraft here were primarily concerned with the destruction of convoys and ships. The missions earned the nickname "Truck Busters" and though they were very successful at these missions, ground attack often damaged aircraft and wounded pilots, including Bolt's wingman. This tour lasted until May 1944.[23]
Bolt returned with his squadron to Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara. In May, Bolt was assigned duty in the United States. He flew to Hawaii, then to Long Beach, California. He reunited with Wiggins in San Francisco, California and the two married on 23 May 1944 in Oakland, California before going on a one-month honeymoon. His next assignment would be with the newly formed VMF-471 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. While with his new squadron, Bolt attended the Aviation Ground Officer's School at Marine Corps Air Station Quantico, Virginia from November 1944 through February 1945. He saw no combat for the rest of the war, but did manage to break the Corsair endurance record by keeping an aircraft aloft for 14 hours and 9 seconds. After briefly returning to VMF-471, Bolt was reassigned to VMF-215, training pilots for new carrier-based aircraft, in March 1945. He remained in this capacity until V-J Day at the end of World War II.[23]
Following the war, Bolt served in various units around El Toro. He was at various times assigned to MASG-46, VMF-512, VMF-323, VMF-312, VMF-452, and Marine Aircraft Group 12 (MAG-12) between the end of the war and November 1949. In November 1949, he was sent to Quantico again to attend the Aircraft Maintenance Course.[24] While on leave in between the two wars, Bolt, then a captain, set a world spearfishing record when he caught an Atlantic goliath grouper weighing hundreds of pounds, while diving in Florida's Tampa Bay.[25]
In May 1950, Bolt was reassigned to VMF-224 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina and he remained there until May 1951. The squadron flew the F2H Banshee and within three months of joining the unit he had flown more hours on the aircraft than any other pilot in the squadron. This was followed by a quick four-month tour on the staff at the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. During this time, the US Air Force was operating its first squadron of F-86 Sabre aircraft. The Sabres were the only US aircraft which performed well against the MiG-15s operated by China and North Korea in the Korean War. Bolt used his connections to enter an exchange program with the USAF in September 1951, becoming an exchange officer with the 318th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at McChord Air Force Base in Washington flying the F-94 Starfire. Soon after, he began piloting the F-86F Sabre which had been transferred to the squadron. He continued training with the squadron and was promoted to Major in December 1951.[24]
In November 1952, Bolt transferred to VMF-115, an element of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in South Korea. The squadron flew the F9F Panther fighter-bomber aircraft. Bolt flew 94 combat missions with the squadron, all of them in bombing runs and close air support and air strike missions against ground targets. However, Bolt did not enjoy this duty, preferring instead to fly the Sabre in air-to-air combat. As his squadron headed to Japan for R&R, Bolt traveled to Seoul to visit the 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing at Kimpo Airfield.[24]
At the 4th Wing, Bolt met with commander Colonel Royal N. Baker. Baker understood Bolt's desire to fly in combat units, but he would not allow this to happen. Bolt subsequently went to the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing at Suwon Airfield to observe its operations. There he met with George I. Ruddell, an acquaintance from El Toro, who was commanding the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. Ruddell agreed to let Bolt join his unit as part of another officer exchange. This apparently angered some of his commanders in VMF-115, and Bolt completed a requisite six weeks of duty with the wing prior to its next R&R.[24]
"It was about one Saturday evening when I added those last two. We hadn't seen anything of the MiGs in over 10 days — when all of a sudden I spotted four of them taking off from and air base on the other side of the Yalu. I nosed over and hit them just as they began to gain altitude. I fired four bursts and a MiG began to smoke. It rolled over and slipped into the ground. I made the second kill when this other dude drifted my way. Pulling nose-up, I closed to within 500 feet (150 m) and started firing up his tailpipe. I saw the pilot eject himself and the action was over. It took about 5 minutes for the whole show.
Six weeks later, Bolt again turned down his R&R and joined the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, flying the F-86 Sabre.[27] Ruddell assigned Bolt to learn from First Lieutenant Joseph C. McConnell, who would be the top ace in the war. Bolt and McConnell quickly established a close friendship in spite of Bolt's superior rank, and Bolt attributed his success in Korea to McConnell's guidance. Ruddell sent a request to Lieutenant General Glenn O. Barcus, commander of the Fifth United States Air Force, that Bolt's tour with the squadron be extended. The request was granted, and McConnell and Bolt began going on combat missions together as wingmen in MiG Alley, the area in northwestern Korea where air-to-air combat was most frequent.[28] Bolt's Sabre, tail number 52-2582, was named Darling Dottie.[29]
By May, McConnell was rotated back to the United States and Bolt was given charge of the flight; in 16 combat missions and 27 combat hours, his flight had never engaged any MiG fighters. This changed on 16 May, when the flight was attacked by a group of MiG fighters at 45,000 feet (14,000 m). Bolt was quickly tailed by one of the aircraft, but managed to avoid its fire and tail another MiG himself. With several well placed shots, Bolt forced its pilot to bail out. Six days later on 22 May, MiG aircraft attacked again, and Bolt managed to outmaneuver an individual which had been attacking his wingman and shoot it down at 7,000 feet (2,100 m).[30] On 24 June, Bolt flew his 31st combat mission, in which he engaged a single MiG and shot it down after a quick battle in the vicinity of the Yalu River.[30] A week later on 30 June, he was flying another mission in the same area when he spotted and quickly shot down another MiG. By the end of the month, Bolt had credit for four victories and two aircraft "damaged."[26]
On 11 July he led another flight of four fighters in a reconnaissance mission above Sinuiju, his 37th combat mission in Korea.[26] In the midst of this patrol two of the aircraft departed after their fuel tanks were depleted, leaving Bolt and one wingman to continue the patrol.[31] The two pilots soon after spotted a formation of four MiGs taking off from an airstrip on the Chinese side of the Yalu River. In spite of low fuel, Bolt ordered an attack. He made a head-on dive toward the formation, which was attempting to gain altitude, and hit the leading airplane with four machine gun bursts, causing it to crash. Bolt then banked his aircraft and aimed for the second aircraft in the formation, continuing the attack and scoring hits on its fuselage, eventually causing its pilot to bail out and prompting the remaining two MiGs to flee. Within five minutes of the engagement, Bolt shot down two of the MiGs after firing 1,200 rounds of ammunition, a relatively difficult feat. He became the 37th of 40 US flying aces in the war, and the last of the seven aces who were double aces from World War II.[26] For these actions Bolt became the final Marine aviator to be awarded the Navy Cross during the war.[31] Bolt is only non-United States Air Force pilot to become an ace in the F-86 and the only naval aviator to become an ace in two wars.[29] Shortly after this final mission, Bolt's tour of duty ended and he was rotated back to the United States for an extended rest and vacation, which he spent with his family.[26]
Following his return from Korea, Bolt was assigned to the US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics in Washington, D.C. as an aircraft design engineer. In this duty, he was detailed to The Pentagon and a board which reported on aircraft performance and tactics. A press conference was held in September 1953 to welcome Bolt to the position, and there he told his stories in Korea for the first time to local newspapers. Bolt's experiences in World War II and the Korean War were used to help shape air combat doctrine.[26] Bolt worked in this assignment for around a year, until 1954 when he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and moved to the Naval Pilot Test Center at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, in St. Mary's County, Maryland. During this time, he took evening classes at the University of Maryland, eventually earning a Bachelor of Science in Military History[8]
In 1957, Bolt was ordered to Marine Corps Base Quantico to attend a one-year instruction in the Senior School of Amphibious Warfare in a program which would later be incorporated into the accredited curriculum of the Marine Corps University. After this one-year stint, Bolt was assigned to command VMF-214, his World War II squadron, at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay on the Hawaiian Islands from 5 November 1957 to 14 August 1959. The squadron, which was part of Marine Aircraft Group 13, flew the FJ-4 Fury. His final assignment as an instructor at the Senior School of Amphibious Warfare, again at Quantico. He taught at this school for the final three years of his career, and retired from the Marine Corps on 31 March 1962.[8]
After retiring from the Marine Corps, Bolt, then 40 years old, began a new career in finance. He and his wife moved back to Sanford, Florida where Bolt worked for the local Chase Bank's mercantile division. Bolt worked in finance for five years, until 1967.[8]
"To our fallen companions whose bones rest on the bottom of the sea in the Solomon Islands, cut down in the bloom of youth, denied the pleasures of life, which by chance, the rest of us have enjoyed. To Gregory Boyington, the courageous, charismatic leader of our days of glory. To Frank Walton, who from our early days has not only been our Boswell, our biographer, in creating the Black Sheep legend, but by his own life has been friend, inspiration and role model to all. To Jim Reames our compassionate squadron doctor, whose medical treatment, Lejon brandy and cheerful good humor helped each of us to bear the stress of combat when death was a frequent visitor to our squadron. To our wives and ladies without whom life would have been a fruitless, cheerless existence without meaning. To each of us, once a proud, brave brotherhood in arms, today we are bound by our own actions in the Black Sheep legend as friends forever. Last to our beloved Marine Corps. We all knew when we put on the forest green uniform that it would ask us to put our lives at risk, which it did, and it would give us only pride and self respect, which it has."
In 1967, Bolt decided to return to his original career aspirations to be a lawyer. He enrolled in the law school at the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law, where his son Robert was also in attendance.[33] The two formed an American handball team during their spare time, and would won several tournaments.[25] Bolt's program had a 3-year curriculum, but he completed the degree in 27 months, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree in December 1969. For two years after graduation, Bolt stayed with the university to teach, and from 1969 to 1971 he was a law instructor as well as the president of the Board of Trustees of Alpha Tau Omega, the fraternity he had joined while an undergraduate at the university.[8] After this stint as an instructor, Bolt and his wife moved to New Smyrna Beach, a place both of them had enjoyed in their childhood. Bolt then began a private law practice and became a local property owner. During this time he was described as a "softspoken, kind, gentle person who would go out of his way to help a friend or a stranger."[8] He specialized in real estate law and was the attorney for the city's utilities commission for 13 years. He retired from law in 1991.[33]
Bolt subsequently lived a quiet life and kept frequent contact with his children, Robert became a lawyer in Tampa, Florida and Barbara wrote for Reader's Digest.[8] In May 1993, Bolt attended the 50th reunion of the original "Black Sheep" squadron in New Orleans, Louisiana and gave the toast at the beginning of the festivities.[32] In 2003, he was inducted into the American Combat Airman Hall of Fame at the American Airpower Heritage Museum in Midland, Texas.[25]
Bolt died of acute leukemia in Tampa, Florida on 8 September 2004 after fleeing the approaching Hurricane Frances. At the time of his death, Bolt was the last surviving American double ace. He was survived by his wife and children, as well as two grandchildren.[25]
Bolt had a total of 12 victories during his career, with an additional "probable" victory and two aircraft damaged. He was the only US Marine Corps pilot to become an ace in the war, and remains the only US Marine Corps pilot to be an ace in two wars.[34] Bolt was one of 1,297 World War II aces from the United States with six confirmed victories during that war. He later became one of 40 Korean War aces from the United States with six more confirmed victories during that war.[35]
Bolt is one of seven US pilots who achieved ace status as both a piston-engined pilot in World War II and as a jet pilot in a later conflict. The others are all USAF pilots; Francis S. Gabreski, James P. Hagerstrom, William T. Whisner, Vermont Garrison and Harrison Thyng, as well as George A. Davis, Jr..[36]
| Date | # | Type | Location | Aircraft flown | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 September 1943 | 2 | A6M Zero | Bougainville | F4U Corsair | VMF-214 |
| 17 October 1943 | 1 | A6M Zero | Bougainville | F4U Corsair | VMF-214 |
| 23 December 1943 | 2 | A6M Zero | New Ireland | F4U Corsair | VMF-214 |
| 4 January 1944 | 1 | A6M Zero | Rabaul | F4U Corsair | VMF-214 |
| 16 May 1953 | 1 | MiG 15 | North Korea | F-86E Sabre | 39th FIS, 51st FIW |
| 22 June 1953 | 1 | MiG 15 | North Korea | F-86E Sabre | 39th FIS, 51st FIW |
| 24 June 1953 | 1 | MiG 15 | North Korea | F-86E Sabre | 39th FIS, 51st FIW |
| 30 June 1953 | 1 | MiG 15 | North Korea | F-86E Sabre | 39th FIS, 51st FIW |
| 11 July 1953 | 2 | MiG 15 | North Korea | F-86E Sabre | 39th FIS, 51st FIW |
| Source:[34] | |||||
Bolt was decorated several times during World War II and the Korean War. His decorations included the following medals:[3]
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| Naval Aviator Badge | |||||||||||||||
| Navy Cross | Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 award stars |
Air Medal with 1 award star |
Combat Action Ribbon with 1 award star |
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| Navy Presidential Unit Citation with 1 service star |
Navy Unit Commendation | China Service Medal | American Campaign Medal | ||||||||||||
| Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 service stars |
World War II Victory Medal | Navy Occupation Service Medal | National Defense Service Medal with 1 service star |
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| Korean Service Medal with 3 service stars |
Korean Presidential Unit Citation | United Nations Korea Medal | Korean War Service Medal[n 1] | ||||||||||||
The Navy Cross is presented to John F. Bolt.(0-13522) Lt Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the united Nations while attached to the First Marine Aircraft Wing and serving as a pilot of a plane in the THIRTY NINTH Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Fifth Air Force, in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on 11 July 1953. Sighting four hostile jet interceptors immediately after the second section of his four-plane flight was forced to retire from the area because of a low fuel supply during a reconnaissance mission deep in enemy territory. Major Bolt quickly maneuvered his aircraft and that of his wingman into attack position and deliberately engaged the numerically superior enemy in a head-on firing run, destroying one of the hostile planes with his initial burst of fire. Although his fuel supply was dangerously low, he initiated repeated attacks on the remaining enemy aircraft and severely damaging the engine section of the lead interceptor, routinely pressed his attack against the crippled plane until the enemy pilot was forced to bail out. By his exceptional courage and superb airmanship in destroying the two aircraft, Major Bolt raised his total of enemy jet planes destroyed during the Korean War to six, thereby becoming the first jet ace in Marine Corps aviation. His inspiring leadership and great personal valor reflect the highest credit upon himself and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
For the President, /S/ Robert Bernard Anderson, Secretary of the Navy.[31]