During his 22-year naval career Voris flew everything from biplanes to jets, and afterward was instrumental in the development of the Navy's F-14 Tomcat strike fighter and NASA's Apollo Lunar Module (LM), both produced by the Grumman Aerospace Corporation.

Voris was nearly killed by a Japanese Zero that attacked his aircraft during the defense of Guadalcanal in what he later described as his first "real" dog fight (which earned him a Purple Heart).

As a youngster, Voris (whose hobby was building model airplanes out of balsa wood and tissue paper) was thrilled by the exploits of Eddie Rickenbacker and other World War I aces, and would spend hours watching the big planes come into Mines Field (Los Angeles Airport).

I walked past a big recruitment sign that said 'Fly Navy' with a pilot looking off into the wild blue yonder standing on the wing of the plane."

He received his commission, was promoted to the rank of ensign and got his "wings of gold" (which identified him as a naval aviator) at NAS Corpus Christi in February, 1942.

Voris took part in countless fighter attacks against enemy airfields and other installations as the Navy advanced through the Pacific Theater of Operations.

During his initial deployment he piloted the Grumman F4F Wildcat with Fighter Squadron 10 (VF-10), the Grim Reapers, under the command of Vice Admiral James H. Flatley aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6).

On his next cruise he flew Grumman F6F Hellcats with VF-2, the Rippers, out of the battles at Guadalcanal in support of the 1st Marine Division, off the Enterprise, and later the USS Hornet (CV-12).

I was a lucky boy.Voris rejoined the Enterprise and VF-2 after recovering from his injuries, where he was chosen by Lieutenant Commander Edward "Butch" O'Hare and Admiral Arthur W. Radford as one of four "Bat Team" fighter pilots to conduct experimental night fighter operations to intercept and destroy enemy bombers attacking Allied landing forces on the atoll of Tarawa.

Voris selected two fellow instructors to join him (Lt. Maurice "Wick" Wickendoll and Lt. Mel Cassidy, both veterans of the War in the Pacific), and the three spent countless hours developing the show.

On June 15 Voris led a trio of Grumman F6F-5 Hellcats, specially modified to reduce weight and painted sea blue with gold leaf trim, through their inaugural 15-minute-long performance at the Southern Air Show at Jacksonville, Florida's Craig Field.

The group, known simply as the "Navy Flight Exhibition Team", thrilled spectators with low-flying maneuvers performed in tight formations, and (according to Voris) by "...keeping something in front of the crowds at all times.

In the Summer of 1947, Voris was attached to the Naval Bureau of Aeronautics in Washington, D.C. (where he spent the next two years); he also married his high school sweetheart, Thea.

The Blue Angels were officially recommissioned in October, 1951, and Voris was again tasked with assembling the flight team (he was the first of only two commanding officers to lead the group twice).

Voris returned to re-form and lead the Blue Angels, this time flying the combat-proven F9F-5 Panther fighter jet.

It was the worst accident we ever had.Despite losing almost all control of his aircraft resulting from its nearly severed tail section, Voris miraculously managed to land safely; tragically, the pilot who hit the water died.

After his second tour with the "Blues", Voris rounded out his career by going on to skipper VF-191, and (after being promoted to the rank of commander) Attack Carrier Air Group 5 (CAG-5) aboard the USS Ranger (CVA-61).

To this day, in living tribute to their founder, The Blue Angels fly the tightest formations of any aerial demonstration teams, while executing precise maneuvers with a mere 18 inches wingtip-to-canopy separation.