John Magda was an Ace at age 23, credited with downing five Japanese aircraft in air combat and destroying at least seven on the ground. He was a member of the famed Fighter Squadron Eight at the Battle of Midway.  Among his wartime decorations are the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with two Gold Stars, for heroism and extraordinary achievement. After returning to the US from the Pacific he flew with and became the commander of the Blue Angels. Magda died in combat during the Korean War at the age of 33 and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. This aircraft, a Grumman F9F Panther, has been authorized by the National Museum of Naval Aviation to represent the Panther flown by Magda during his Blue Angels command.
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Narrated by Larry Bailey