William (Bill) Gureck is a retired Navy Rear Admiral who served as a pilot with the Blue Angels during the 1955 and 1956 air show seasons. During Gureck's tenure with the Blue Angels, he served in roles as both the Team's Right Wing (#2) and Slot Pilot (#4). Gureck also assisted with the Blue Angels' transition to the F9F Cougar which debuted in 1955.

Gureck grew up in West Hempstead on Long Island, New York where he was exposed to aviation at a young age due to the close proximity of the Grumman Corporation. Despite being denied a college scholarship by the aircraft manufacturer, Gureck was not deterred and enrolled at Columbia University where he enlisted in the Navy under the Admiral Holloway Plan, a training and education program of Naval Officers from college level through flag rank.

Gureck began his flight training in July of 1948 at both Naval Air Station Pensacola and Corpus Christi where he became among the first pilots to go straight to a jet squadron upon completion of his training. He began the transition to jets in May of 1950 at NAS Whiting Field, where he flew the TV-2 Shooting Star. Serving in both VF-11 and VF-12, Gureck deployed to the Mediterranean and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba before returning stateside to become a flight instructor at Corpus Christi.

It was during Gureck’s assignment as part of ATU-201 that he was approached by the Blue Angels and invited to become the first pilot to ever try out for a position with the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Team, where he earned the position of Left Wing for the 1955 air show season.

1955 marked a pivotal time in the Blue Angels history as they transitioned to the F9F-8 Cougar from its predecessor, the F9F-5 Panther. Equipped with a single General Electric J47 turbojet engine capable of reaching speeds of 600 mph, the Cougar offered a significant challenge to the pilots as none of them had experience flying the aircraft. After just three weeks of training in El Centro, CA, the Blue Angels flew their first public demonstration with the Cougars at NAS Miramar.

Gureck would enjoy a successful tenure with the Blue Angels where he served as the Slot Pilot for the 1956 season and participated in the last National Air Show that was held at Will Rogers Field in Oklahoma City.

Gureck retired from the Navy in August of 1984. His career highlights include:
- Multiple tours in Vietnam consisting of 275 VF/VA combat missions
- Commanding Officer of the USS Shreveport
- Commanding Officer of the USS John F. Kennedy
- Commander Carrier Group SEVEN

In November of 2022, Gureck was the recipient of the Gray Angel trophy, a title established by the Blue Angels Association to recognize the oldest living Blue Angel officer.

1955 Blue Angels Pilots:

1. CDR Zeke Cormier
2. LTJG Bill Gureck
3. LT Nello Pierozzi
4. LTJG Ken Wallace
5. LTJG Ed McKellar
6. Capt. Pete Olsen, USMC
7. LT Bruce Bagwell
MO LCDR Harry Sonner
Doc LCDR R E Luehrs

1556 Blue Angels Pilots:

1. CDR Zeke Cormier
2. Capt Chuck Hollaway, USMC
3. LTJG Nello Pierozzi
4. LTJG Bill Gureck
5. LTJG Ed McKellar
6. LT "Lefty" Schwartz
7. LT Bruce Bagwell
MO LCDR Harry Sonner
Doc LCDR R E Luehrs