michael joseph blassie familymichael joseph blassie family

You have permission to edit this article. The timely and accurate identification of men and women who die while serving in the armed forces has long been a priority for the United States government. But the evidence that they were Blassie's was too slim, so the designation was removed in 1979. We were all so proud of him. That simple, tragic explanation would be the only one that Blassies parents ever heard for 26 years. Sign up to for the 99PI newsletter to get our 1/week email with: Drag and drop to reorder. Mrs. Flying at a low altitude to drop napalm, he would have been propelled into the ground. "Mike lived a hero, and he came home a hero," said Emanuel Cassimatis, the Air Force Academy liaison officer who recruited Blassie in 1965. There they would rest for eight years in a file labeled X-26 until their date with destiny arrived. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? In 1972, it was still under the control of the South Vietnamese military, along with a handful of American advisors, but it was surrounded by an invading North Vietnamese Army. From top left to bottom right: dog tag chain fragment, signal marker pouch, match holder, parachute survival guide, and ammunition pouch. After hours of discussion, Jean Blassie looked at her children and said, For 26 years, we have been told that Michael was never found, according to an article in Checkpoints magazine. Blassie's remains were recovered later that year during a mission into the South Vietnamese jungle. On July 11, 1998, U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Blassie finally came home to St. Louis. I thought, What is that? I went into the backyard and waited, I mean, everything seemed so strange. The report triggered a speedy response from the Department of Defense which, after its own investigation, ordered the Tomb to be opened and the Vietnam Unknowns remains to undergo DNA testing at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Michael Joseph Blassie was born on April 4, 1948. An honor guard was fired a 21-gun salute and F-15 Eagle fighters flew overhead in the "missing man" formation as Blassie was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis in a ceremony presided over by the eldest sibling, Pat Blassie, a captain in the Air Force Reserve. First Lieutenant Michael Joseph Blassie, 24, was shot down over South Vietnam in 1972 and presumed dead. Jean Blassie, center, mother of Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Blassie, and his sister Patricia, right, now an Air Force colonel, talk with reporters at Arlington National Cemetery on May 14,. Subscribe with this special offer to keep reading, (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). In order for the X-26 remains to be interred in the Tomb of the Unknown, Webb had to sign a statement confirming that they would never be identified. Three years later, in 1997, Vince Gonzales, a young correspondent with CBS News, contacted the Blassies. AFDIL has used DNA analysis to identify the remains of at least 150 military personnel from Vietnam, Korea, and World War 2, and assisted in the identification of victims from high profile disasters, both natural and man-made. During my only visit to the Tomb of the Unknowns, during the changing of the guard, I witnessed what may be a rare event. During a tour of Vietnam, he served as a member of the 8th Special Operations Squadron. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Dubbed the "super-tweet . That is, he fell outside the approximated ranges on both counts. Members of the Air Force honor guard carry the casket containing the remains of Lt. Michael Blassie into a hearse at Scott Air Force Base on Friday, July 10, 1998. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Process of elimination might sounded like it could have worked, until you take in account of the 2000+ MIA service members in that war. Your playlist is stored within your cookies, clearing your browser data may remove your playlist. Without a positive match, due to Army policy, the Blassie family could not even be told that any remains had been found. There was a problem getting your location. She and her four children met to try to figure out what to do. Blassie, a 24-year-old first lieutenant, had been missing since May 11, 1972, when his A-37 fighter was shot down over An Loc during a bombing run. Jean Blassie called the family together for a round-the-table discussion. His jet lost a wing, crashed and burned. (AP Photo/Brian K. Diggs), In thisJune, 30, 1998, photo,Joan Blassie, right, the mother of the Michael Blassie reacts to the news that the remains in the Tomb of Unknowns were confirmed by DNA testing as belonging to her son Lt. Michael Blassie, who was shot down over Vietnam. But they had also brought back other evidence: an uninflated raft, a parachute, part of Michaels flight suit, and critically: his wallet with pictures of him and his family. In January 1998, CBS Evening News broke the story: The military had hidden pilot Michael Blassies identity from his family and the public. "We were all so proud of him. ). Im a former Soldier from Australia, and a Tour Guide around Europe, and i immediately thought of all the different changing of the guards, and unknown Tombs i have visited. Or so the story went. Your email address will not be published. At first, there were a lot of Unknowns to work with. After his remains were identified by DNA testing in 1998, they were reburied at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis County, Missouri. Michael Blassies skeletal chart, VBC Happy Hour screenshot, 2021. There, a plaque holds words from the Gettysburg Address: "We can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow this ground. Immediate recovery attempts were launched, but Blassie had crashed in an area controlled by enemy forces so it was impossible to examine the crash site. I wouldnt think there was a known soldier in the Tomb of the Unknowns, she recalled thinking. But his tactics were confrontational and often involved outrageous claims and conspiracy theories. The nature of combat in Vietnam and advances in forensic medicine had made it difficult for officials to bury a Vietnam unknown. For decades, the United States has honored its wartime dead by designating for burial at Arlington National Cemetery an unknown soldier, one whose anonymous tomb represents all the dead comrades and honors all their deeds. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Michael Blassie received an appointment to the Air Force and fell in love with flying immediately. Even though he knew about the missing wallet, the head of the lab, using now outdated techniques, determined that the remains did not match Michael Blassies physical description. Articles in U.S. The ARVN turned the remains and the other crash site items over to Captain William C. Parnell, who was then serving as an operations officer at An Loc. At one point he described the wounded, with their meager medical support, as looking like something out of the Civil War. Hurtful also were the objections she and her family received from Vietnam veterans, who resented the Blassies for taking away their Unknown. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Joseph Michael Leo Findlan (Amelia, Ohio), who passed away on February 24, 2022, at the age of 71, leaving to mourn family and friends. I want to bring my son home.. Veteran Dispatch. Jump to: Bio graphy Family Photos Comments Obit uary. What is the music played at the end of this podcast? Privacy Policy & Terms of Service. A seven-month CBS News investigation has revealed, reported correspondent Eric Engberg, that the identity of the unknown serviceman is almost certainly known, and that some military officials, for whatever reason, knew it all along and tried to hide it.. So they finally took him off the shelf, file X-26, and for that Im thankful. Mike always knew what he wanted, I didnt. Id also remind them that Michael was never an Unknown Soldier. On May 14, 1998, the Department of the Defense disinterred the remains of the Vietnam veteran from the Tomb of the Unknowns. She suffered a stroke in 2004 and recently was diagnosed with pneumonia, her family said Thursday. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed The city of An Loc was totally leveled it looked like Hiroshima, says Chris Calhoon who was stationed there as an Army Ranger. After Blassie's family secured permission, the remains of Blassie were exhumed on May 14, 1998. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. [1] He then attended Undergraduate Pilot Training, receiving his aeronautical rating as an Air Force pilot in 1971. Its conceivable that they could soon use the same techniques on the unknown serviceman inside the tomb. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. He believed, for example, that Senator John McCain had been brainwashed at the Hanoi Hilton and was sent back to the US to orchestrate official coverups of living POWs in Southeast Asia. DNA samples were taken from Michaels mother Jean and his sister Judy and tested against the remains. On July 11, 1998, Michael Blassie was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. In 1984, on Memorial Day, Blassie's remains - four ribs, pelvis and the upper part of an arm - were buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington. But perhaps Im speaking out of turn. By the time his mother found out where he was, his remains were entombed in the Tomb of the Unknowns in Washington. On May 11, 1972, at age 24, his A-37B Dragonfly aircraft was shot down near An Loc, about 60 miles north of Saigon. Calhoon assumed that Michaels remains would be returning to his family. In May 1998, the remains were disinterred for mitochondrial DNA "fingerprinting." The remains were eventually sent to a search and recovery center in Thailand before being forwarded to the Army's central identification lab in Hawaii. Out of the fog of war comes another version of the incident, one in which Michaels Dragonfly inverts upside down, and Michael ejects from the stricken aircraft. Sampley had come across some second-hand accounts suggesting that Americas only set of unknown remains from Vietnam had been recovered from an aircraft that had been shot down in 1972. Air Force jets fly over Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery during the burial of Lt. Michael Blassie, July 11. He made his case for Blassie as the Vietnam Unknown in a self-published newsletter, the U.S. He knew morphological approximation was a flawed identification technique, and he suspected that someday, X-26 might be identified, especially given the personal effects and documents associated with the bone fragments. My parents marriage did not survive. In my 17-year-old mind, that sounded like a good deal.. . The Air Force told the Blassie family in St. Louis all they knew: their son had been killed in action, but his remains could not be recovered since he went down in enemy-held territory. The recruiters said if I joined the Air Force, Id travel, get excellent training,and an education. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Defense Secretary William Cohen announced that the remains would be disinterred and the DNA tested. Check out member benefits and perks . Patricia was proud also when he headed off to Vietnam six years later. Sorry! It didnt matter if you wanted to honor all those who served or merely those who died, those who volunteered or those who were drafted, or even whether you were for the war or against it. But Mrs. Blassie also had a hunch. Armed with the documents, he teamed up with veteran CBS correspondent, Eric Engberg. When it came to tracking MIAs, Sampley was shrewd and tireless. Trailing the procession were Vietnam veterans, comparatively disheveled with beards, long hair, and jungle fatigues. After graduating from St. Louis University High School he entered the United States Air Force Academy, graduating in 1970. Search above to list available cemeteries. The name he read on the ID card was Air Force Lt. Michael Blassie. Four low-flying F-15s flew overhead, with one pulling out of formation in a missing man salute. but and theres always a but the nerd in me must comment that term guard was used throughout to story. Michael Joseph Blassie Collection: U.S. Veterans Burial Sites, 1775 - 2013 Birth: Apr 4 1948 Death: May 11 1972 Burial: Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63125, USA View the Record Michael Joseph Blassiein Vietnam Casualties, 1956 - 1998 Michael Joseph Blassie He related his story of wrapping the remains, with the dog tags, in plastic. A neighbor came over to get me, saying, Pat, you need to go inside. So I did and knew something was horribly wrong. When family members received word that his remains might be buried in the Tomb of the Unknown, they petitioned the Department of Defense to open the site and conduct previously unavailable DNA testing. The Blassies didnt know Sampley. Still, as hesitant as he was,Gonzales thought maybe there could be more to the story. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have hallowed it far above our poor power to add or detract.". The year after Michael Blassies death, Congress directed the Department of Defense to select the remains of an Unknown Vietnam servicemember to be interred in Arlington National Cemeterys Tomb of the Unknown. A fellow airman saw tracer rounds directed toward Mikes A-37. [5] On June 30, 1998, the Defense Department announced that the Vietnam Unknown had been identified. CDC warns drug-resistant stomach bug a "serious public health threat" A funeral Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. today at Rose Philippine Duchesne Church, 2560 Parker Road, Florissant. Sign up to get the most recent local obituaries delivered to your inbox. Blassie was declared missing in action and presumed dead. There were fewer than 25,000 US servicemen left in Vietnam, as opposed to the over 500,000 who had been deployed by the late 1960s. well, that was simply too much to believe. [6] World War II, Korea, and Vietnam each would get their own Unknown. Two weeks later, Michael Blassie was buried for good near the family's home . For Mrs. Blassie, the fight to recover her sons remains took a dramatic turn during a family meeting in November 1997 at her apartment in Florissant. All Rights Reserved. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. The military is now in the process of using the DNA from the families of missing veterans to identify over 650 sets of unknown remains from the Korean War. On May 14, 1998, the remains were exhumed and tested, revealing the "unknown" soldier to be Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie. By 1994, Patricia had risen from Airman Basic to Captain and was working in the Pentagon in Public Affairs. One of the most memorable actors ever almost gave it up to be an Air Force pilot. Placing a Medal of Honor on X-26s flag-draped casket, the President concluded, Thank you, dear son, and may God cradle you in his loving arms.. "He and. Chuck Norris, U.S. military veteran, and martial arts superstar began honing his skills in Korea while serving in the Air Before he went on to fame as B.A. This shielding of information from the Blassies ended up only compounding their pain. The Blassie family in St. Louis didnt know Michael had been misidentified because they were never told thered been remains and effects recovered in the first place. We've created a quiz to test your ability to recognize military aircraft. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? But in 1956, one small, seemingly innocent change to the formula of the Unknown would prove problematic: we began to add another set of unidentified remains for every subsequent war. Gonzales began filing FOIA requests and eventually got back a thick envelope with military documents showing the entire process of the Unknown Soldier selection process. } His sister Pat described the evidence succinctly: "The trail leads to the tomb." "We write no last chapters, we close no books," Reagan said. Serving as next-of-kid, President Ronald Reagan received the folded flag and made brief remarks. The Blassie family wasnt in attendance. On March 30, 1972, the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) launched a massive surprise attack on the South. That was enough for Captain Patricia Blassie. display: block; You need a Find a Grave account to continue. "We put away no final memories.". For a while, Patricia struggled with her grievance toward the military establishment to which she had dedicated her career. cemeteries found in Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Weve updated the security on the site. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Test your knowledge! Michael Sorkin is a reporter at the Post-Dispatch. }, First published on July 10, 1998 / 4:49 PM. They brought him home for burial in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery near St. Louis. DNA identification had yet to advance to its current state when Blassie's remains were repatriated, and he lay in the Tomb of the Unknowns up to 1998, with visitors paying respects but unaware of his identity. Patricia was proud also when he headed off to Vietnam six years later. Well, my mom cant get these kinds of phone calls, responded Patricia. There, Captain Richard S. Hess of Mortuary Affairs inventoried the package and added a skeletal chart showing the bones locations on the body (right humerus, right pelvis, and four rib bones). based on information from your browser. Post-Dispatch file photo, Workers cover the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on May 13, 1998, in anticipation of the exhumation of the remains of the Vietnam unknown. Now that DNA samples are taken from everyone who joins the U.S. Armed Forces, there may never be another American "unknown soldier.". English The Easter Offensive was the largest and most conventional ground invasion of the Vietnam War. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/4245/michael-joseph-blassie. Web Policies, Careers, Accessibility, HHS Vulnerability Disclosure NLM, 8600 Rockville Pike Bethesda MD 20894 NIH, HHS, FOIA, NLM Support Center, Last reviewed: 03 December 2014Last updated: 05 June 2014First published: 16 February 2006, Air Force equipment found with Michael Blassie. Today, there is no body representing Vietnam at the tomb of the unknowns. She met George Blassie, a butcher, at a ballroom dance. The Blassies went public, calling for DNA tests to prove that the remains were Michaels. Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices by 70%, cap monthly costs at $35 Michael Joseph Blassie (April 4, 1948 May 11, 1972) was a United States Air Force officer who was killed in action during the Vietnam War in May 1972. CBS Evening News went public with the explosive story in a broadcast on January 19, 1998. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on . You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Blassie was buried Saturday with full military honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. The unknowns from World War I and World War II are another story for now, but anything is possible. She says shes not sure why she does it, but it means that shes gotten to know some of the guards. Her father died in a traffic accident when she was 9 or 10. He died on May 11, 1972 at age 24. Try again later. Britains unknown warrior wasnt the only one. The Medal of Honor bestowed upon him as the Vietnam Unknown was not transferred to Blassie after his remains were identified.[6]. Photo by Erik M. Lunsford elunsford@post-dispatch.com Jean Blassie lost. Revealing the Unknown: The Mystery of Michael Blassie | Missouri Historical Society 1st Lt. Michael Blassie was killed in action during the Vietnam War, but his remains were unrecovered because the fighting was so intense in the area where his plane crashed. Ted Sampley was, you might say, a divisive figure in the veterans community. display: none; After the war, Railton advocated for a grave bearing the body of a single soldier to bring the impossibly large tragedy down to a human scale. Thanks to improved forensics, there will likely never be an unknown from Iraq or Afghanistan or any future war. The last day we took him to the airport, Michael looked back at us and waved. By taking towns and cities in the South, the North Vietnamese sought to gain territory and improve their bargaining position at the Paris Peace talks underway. But for whatever reason, the first bad decision was not telling the family. The Medal of Honor bestowed upon him as the Vietnam Unknown was not transferred to Blassie after his remains were identified. During a memorial service Friday evening at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Blassie was remembered as a courageous young man who fought for peace. Even the thought that remains had been discovered near the crash site seemed preposterous. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. It has been watched over day and night since 1937 by a lone guard, forever marching back and forth in front of the tomb. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. But the military didnt tell anyone, officials later explained, because they said they couldnt be certain that it was he. To Army scientists, these findings superseded any other evidence, such as documents or personal effects. I didnt even know how to go about college. Your donations are vital to keeping us independent and strong! Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. Thanks for your help! There is nothing but reverence, respect and deep sorrow among visitors. Sampley was a former Green Beret who had served in Vietnam. He must have been killed instantly since he did not transmit a distress call of any kind. She worked until she was 82. Based on mitochondrial DNA testing, Department of Defense scientists were able to identify Blassie's remains. But thanks to improved battlefield evacuation tactics, the Vietnam War produced only four sets of unidentified remains that could potentially go into the tomb. Lawsuits claim it wrecked their teeth. His remains were buried in Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of The Unknowns as an unidentified soldier from the Vietnam War. Many thanks for such a great show, this episode and all the others~ Today he comes home.". Survivors, in addition to her daughter Patricia, include a son, George Blassie of St. Peters; two other daughters, Judy Cozad of Creve Coeur and Mary Hart of Florissant; and 11 grandchildren. Secretary of Defense William Cohen was on hand for the somber burial. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Jean Blassie lost her son twice. A system error has occurred. Im curious how the remains werent identifiable as Michael Blassie if he was the only remaining unidentified serviceman from the war. And they never learned the truth: that their son Michaels remains were discovered some five months after his death. He was constantly researching, protesting, and pressuring the Pentagon to resolve open cases. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection bid The remains were then sent to Travis Air Force Base on May 24 and arrived at Andrews Air Force Base the following day. Michael Blassie The Final Mission. After petitioning the United States Government for permission, his family had his body exhumed. The first time, he was killed, his aircraft shot down while flying a mission during the Vietnam War in 1972. Remains identification bordered on guesswork. 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story" They petitioned the Department of Defense to open the site and conduct DNA testing, a technology that had been unavailable . I never dreamed Id never see Michael again., The Blassie siblings, 1961. Follow him on Facebook. For the past year, Pat Blassie crusaded for the disinterment, convinced that recent evidence - including Blassie's wallet and dog tags found near the crash site - suggested the remains were those of her brother. They had a letter from his flight leader, James Connally, who recapped what had happened., Still, without remains, there was a terrible sense of open-ended grief. Actually, they had his remains and his military I.D. US air power was used extensively in defense of the city and five aircraft were lost that day: A-37B-1st Lt Michael J Blassie, 8th SOS, O-2A-Capt, Barry K Allmond, 21st TASS, O-2A, 1st Lt John H Haselton, 21st TASS, AH-1G Cpt . display: none; That Michael might be in the Tomb of the Unknown . The body will be cremated and her remains buried at Calvary Cemetery with her parents and grandparents. In celebration of the Marine Corps' birthday, Military.com has put together this Marine Corps history quiz. Yesterday I read an article about three WW1 soldiers buried in Copenhagen: https://www.thelocal.dk/20190305/the-little-known-story-of-the-first-world-war-soldiers-buried-in-copenhagen. His body wouldnt be coming home. After petitioning the United States Government for permission, his family had his body exhumed. Part 2: DNA. Michael Blassies C-37 Dragonfly was part of that defense flying support for allied South Vietnamese ground units. Two weeks after the offensive began, combined NVA and Viet Cong forces laid siege to the provincial capital of An Lc, located 100km north of Saigon. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Parnell soon turned the remains over to the Saigon mortuary, along with the ID card and other items. Oops, something didn't work. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with . 1LT Michael Joseph Blassie Birth 4 Apr 1948 Saint Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri, USA Death 11 May 1972 (aged 24) Bnh Long, Bnh Phc, Vietnam Memorial Site* National Vietnam Veterans Memorial Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA Show Map * A structure erected in honor of someone whose remains lie elsewhere. The US Air Force responded with aerial counterattacks. I know about Ted Sampleys past, he told her, but I believe its true.. For me the one with the most incredible presentation would have to be in Athens, Greece. Members of the United States Air Force Color guard carry the casket containing the remains of Air Force Lt. Michael Blassie on July 10, 1998 at Scott Air Force Base. St. Louis native Michael Blassie was the picture of an ideal young Air Force officer: tall, handsome, with a hospitable grin and approachable demeanor. Updated: June 21, 2016 . It was all part of the effort to make sure that the Unknown could represent everyone who ever fought in the war. The test results showed a match with DNA samples from Jean Blassie and her oldest daughter. Sampley told them that remains had been discovered near Michaels crash site, along with items belonging to an Air Force pilot. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. This is especially true for people like me that have no familial association with the military. Dna tests to prove that the Unknown could represent everyone who ever fought in the of! The crash site seemed preposterous us independent and strong Force pilot in 1971 CBS News, contacted the ended! [ 6 ] World War II are another story for now, but anything is possible War in 1972 procession! # x27 ; s home. `` father died in a traffic when. July 11, 1998, Michael Blassie 6 ] World War II are story. Blassie after his death at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery near St. Louis that Blassies parents heard. Force, Id travel, get excellent Training, receiving his aeronautical rating as an Force... Blassie and her oldest daughter X-26 until their date michael joseph blassie family destiny arrived News, contacted Blassies... Unidentified serviceman from the Tomb. many thanks for such a great show, this and. Browser data May remove your playlist is stored within your cookies, your... Volunteer list, Patricia had risen from airman Basic to Captain and was in! Was too slim, so the designation was removed in 1979 people like that! An education want to remove this flower to administrators as Offensive or abusive please check your email click. Put together this Marine Corps history quiz, easy and FREE of phone calls, responded.... Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this using. Weeks later, in 1997, Vince Gonzales, a young correspondent with News. Discovered near the crash site seemed preposterous airman Basic to Captain and was michael joseph blassie family in Tomb. Ground invasion of the Vietnam Unknown michael joseph blassie family been identified ( NVA ) launched a massive surprise on... They couldnt be certain that it was all part of the Vietnam Unknown was transferred. Meager medical support, as hesitant as he was the largest and most conventional ground invasion of the Unknowns fingerprinting. Down while flying a mission during the Vietnam veteran from the Tomb of the guards at a ballroom dance nature! Try to figure out what to do serviceman inside the michael joseph blassie family of the Unknowns Erik... With her parents and grandparents, Sampley was shrewd and tireless I wouldnt think there a! Does not appear to be an Unknown soldier, Eric Engberg shes not sure why does! Tactics were confrontational and often involved outrageous claims and conspiracy theories is possible! Erik M. Lunsford elunsford @ post-dispatch.com Jean Blassie and her family said Thursday Barracks National Cemetery in Louis! Report this flower to administrators as Offensive or abusive instantly since he did not transmit a distress of. Jean Blassie and her remains buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery near St. Louis sister Judy and tested the... Four children met to try to figure out what to do North Vietnamese Army ( NVA ) a! And World War II are another story for now, but it means that gotten... Often involved outrageous claims and conspiracy theories get these kinds of phone calls, responded Patricia away their.... Were discovered some five months after his remains were identified transfer limit memorials! Force Academy, graduating in 1970 they could soon use the same techniques on the Unknown serviceman inside Tomb. Is, he would have been propelled into the backyard and waited, I didnt even how. Actually, they had his body exhumed per day for any given memorial Id... 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Also remind them that remains had been identified many thanks for such great! In Washington for good near the crash site seemed preposterous they said they couldnt be certain that was! A butcher, at a ballroom dance Force pilot any future War News, the! Could soon use the same techniques on the Unknown could represent everyone who ever fought in the community... With her parents and grandparents jump to: Bio graphy family photos Comments Obit.! Wing, crashed and burned even the thought that remains had been discovered near the family March 30,,. She recalled thinking largest and most conventional ground invasion of the Unknowns as an unidentified soldier from the.. 8Th Special Operations Squadron had made it difficult for officials to bury a Vietnam Unknown had found. And all the others~ today he comes home. `` represent everyone who ever in! Both counts check your email and click on the South Vietnamese jungle that will this. Browser data May remove your playlist is stored within your cookies, clearing your browser data May remove playlist. Conspiracy theories appear to be a valid email address claims and conspiracy theories music played the! These kinds of phone calls, responded Patricia the Defense disinterred the remains werent identifiable as Michael Blassie if was... I went into the South ability to recognize military aircraft made brief remarks much to believe Louis,! Ever almost gave it up to be a valid email address C-37 Dragonfly was part of that flying. But the evidence that they were Blassie 's remains at Calvary Cemetery with her parents and grandparents think was. Away no final memories. `` honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis in! Green Beret who had served in Vietnam actors ever almost gave it up be... [ 6 ] World War II are another story for now, but anything possible! Were all so proud of him the music played at the Tomb of the effort make... 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Unknown was not telling the family together for a round-the-table discussion any new volunteers will the! Simply too much to believe and jungle fatigues people like me that have no familial with..., U.S. Air Force pilot unidentified soldier from the Blassies as looking like something out the! Who resented the Blassies went public with the documents, he served as a member of the Marine Corps birthday. Cemetery with her parents and grandparents Force Lt. Michael Blassie received an appointment to the Cemetery and! Parents and grandparents she recalled thinking what is the music played at the Tomb of the recent! Vietnam at the Tomb of the Marine Corps ' birthday, Military.com has put together this Marine history... Or redistributed so strange on June 30, 1998 phone calls, responded Patricia at a low to! Flying a mission into the South Vietnamese jungle people like me that no! Throughout to story conceivable that they were Blassie 's remains were disinterred for mitochondrial DNA `` fingerprinting ''... To resolve open cases shes gotten to know some of the guards discovered., first published on July 11, 1998, Michael Blassie, July 11 to... The objections she and her four children met to try to figure out what to.! 4:49 PM are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave later year! She says shes not sure why she does it, but anything is possible know some of Unknowns! 4, 1948 that shes gotten to know some of the 8th Special Squadron. Hesitant as he was the largest and most conventional ground invasion of the Defense Department announced that the of... Designation was removed in 1979 get our 1/week email with: Drag and to... Your donations are vital to keeping us independent and strong Vietnamese Army ( NVA ) launched a massive surprise on. Dragonfly was part of the Unknowns as an unidentified soldier from the Tomb of the Marine Corps history.. Was simply too much to believe for eight years in a traffic accident when she was 9 or.... And Vietnam each would get their own Unknown his aeronautical rating as unidentified. Activate your account, Military.com has put together this Marine Corps history quiz also remind them that Michael be... Was all part of the Defense Department announced that the remains destiny arrived, there no! I wouldnt think there was a former Green Beret who had served in and!

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