Ensign F. J. Blair, USNR, was designated Naval Aviator #10142 in 1941. Entered active service via the pre-war Aviation Cadet (AVCAD) program.

During the course of the war was officially credited with downing 2.33 enemy aircraft, with the possibility of having actually downed five. Was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on 28 Sept. 1942. The citation reads:

"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Foster J. Blair, United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity with the enemy while his squadron has been based at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. Ensign Blair his distinguished himself heroically in aerial combat with complete disregard for personal safety while shooting down two enemy bombers in action occurring over Guadalcanal on 28 September 1942. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service."

By the end of the war had also been awarded the Air Medal, with two gold stars in lieu of two additional awards.

Retired with rank of Commander, USNR, in 1966.

Passed away at the General Hospital of Monroe County. Survived by his mother, wife, two children, and three siblings.
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Contributors Jerry & Beth (#46982159) provided the following:

Foster Blair was born on April 13, 1920, in Sciota, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Naval Aviation Cadet Program on February 26, 1941, and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and designated a Naval Aviator at NAS Miami, Florida, on October 14, 1941. His first assignment was as an F4F Wildcat pilot with VF-5 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3) from November 1941 to December 1942, and during this time he was officially credited with the destruction of 2 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, plus 1 damaged; although he claimed the destruction of 4. After serving with VF-3 from January to April 1943, LtJg Blair served as an F6F Hellcat pilot with VC-21 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nassau (CVE-16) from April to June 1943. His next assignment was as an F6F pilot with VF-6 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CVL-22) from June to November 1943, and during this time he claimed another enemy aircraft destroyed in the air, although he was only officially given credit for 0.333 of the victory. This gave him a total claimed of 5 during World War II, but he was only officially given credit for 2.333 air victories with 1 damaged. LT Blair served with VC-39 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) in November 1943; having landed on another aircraft carrier when his ship was sunk by a Japanese submarine on November 23, 1943. He next served as a flight instructor at NAS Sanford, Florida, from January 1944 to June 1945, followed by service as an Air Coordinator with the Pacific Fleet from June to November 1945. LCDR Blair served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from July 1946 to July 1953, and during this time he served as Executive Officer of VF-79A at NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, as Executive Officer of Fleet Air Service Squadron 832 (FASRON-832) at NAS New York, as Officer in Charge of RTU-1 at NAS Willow Grove, and then as Assistant Officer in Charge of BTU-1N at NAAS Whiting Field, Florida. He returned to active duty in the Navy in July 1953, and attended helicopter pilot training at NAS Ellyson Field, Florida, from July to September 1953. He served a brief tour on the General Court Martial Board from September to November 1953, and then served as a helicopter pilot and as Operations Officer of HU-2 at NAS Lakehurst, New Jersey, from November 1953 to March 1956. During this time he deployed aboard the battleship USS Iowa (BB-61) from May to August 1955. CDR Blair served at NAS MFS, Millington, Tennessee, from March 1956 to January 1959, and then at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, from January 1959 to June 1962. His next assignment was at Naval Station Rota, Spain, from June 1962 to May 1964, followed by service with the Inspector of Naval Materials on Long Island, New York, from May 1964 to November 1965. His final assignment was at Headquarters 3rd Naval District in New York City from November 1965 until his retirement from the Navy on June 30, 1966. Foster Blair died on June 27, 1969, and was buried at the Laurelwood Cemetery in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
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