Do your ears pop at altitude?
John "Jack" Bolt, who launched West to his final reward in 2004, was the only two-war U.S. Marine
Corps ace. As a junior officer during World War II, he scored six enemy kills while flying the Vought
F4U Corsair. As a major, he scored six more while flying the North American F-86 Sabre during a
Korean War exchange tour.
Jack Bolt was a hoot! During a commercial airline flight several years ago, he was seated next to a
young mother with a babe in arms. When the baby began crying during the descent for landing, the
mother began nursing him as discreetly as possible. Jack pretended not to notice and, upon
debarking, he gallantly offered his assistance to help with the various baby-related impedimenta.
When the young mother expressed her gratitude, Bolt responded: "Gosh, that's a good looking
baby.... and he sure was hungry!"
Somewhat embarrassed, the mother explained that her
pediatrician said nursing would help alleviate the pressure in the baby's ears. Jack snaps his fingers,
shook his head, and in true Marine Corps fighter pilot fashion exclaimed, "Damn! And all these years
I've been chewing gum!"
