michael joseph blassie family

That's where he fell in love with flying, Pat Blassie said. She was 90 and had been a longtime Florissant resident before moving to Mary Queen and Mother Center in St. Louis. 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. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { On July 11, 1998, Michael Blassie was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Blassies was A positive. Twenty-six years after he died, 1st Lt. Michael Blassie came home. Jean Blassie called the family together for a round-the-table discussion. Blassie, said Ted, I believe your son is in the Tomb of the Unknown.. Blassie's unidentified remains were designated as the Vietnam Unknown service member by Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. [6] It was around this time that David Railton came across a temporary grave, a few miles behind the front, marked only by a cross bearing the name of a regiment and the words: An unknown British soldier.. So were dozens of Michaels old friends, classmates, and comrades in arms, along with thousands of others, including Vietnam veterans, who came to commemorate the return of a lost brother. Pilots loved itbecause being that close the ground heightened the sense of flight and speed. The president meant to assure families of soldiers with MIA status that their loved ones would not be forgotten, but his words were prescient of the Vietnam unknown's fate. "The resting place of Michael was for so long the Tomb of the Unknowns," Rigali said. Serving as next-of-kid, President Ronald Reagan received the folded flag and made brief remarks. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. #inline-recirc-item--id-91b39784-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-91b39784-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { well, that was simply too much to believe. Unidentified remains from that war had been analyzed over a decade and a half. "Mike lived a hero, and he came home a hero," said Emanuel Cassimatis, the Air Force Academy liaison officer who recruited Blassie in 1965. First Lieutenant Michael Joseph Blassie, 24, was shot down over South Vietnam in 1972 and presumed dead. Parnell wrapped the remains with the effects and held them overnight. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Michael Joseph Townsend Sr. of Snow Hill, Maryland, born in Salisbury, Maryland, who passed away on February 23, 2023, at the age of 72, leaving to mourn family and friends. There is nothing but reverence, respect and deep sorrow among visitors. You grow apart sometimes during this kind of tragedy. But his tactics were confrontational and often involved outrageous claims and conspiracy theories. But the evidence that they were Blassie's was too slim, so the designation was removed in 1979. Unlike nuclear DNA, each cell carries more than a hundred copies of mtDNA, since each cell contains many mitochondria but only one nucleus. I assume now he was meaning in America but i immediately thought to other Countries national Monuments. } "We were all so proud of him. Whatever was known about the remains of the Vietnam Unknown had never been revealed. 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. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. In: Spitz, W.U. 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. In celebration of the Marine Corps' birthday, Military.com has put together this Marine Corps history quiz. Michael was 24 years old and 72 inches tall when he died. }, First published on July 10, 1998 / 4:49 PM. Helton, L.M. The Medal of Honor bestowed upon him as the Vietnam Unknown was not transferred to Blassie after his remains were identified.[6]. Blassie was then listed as "killed in action, no body recoverd." 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. In the early 1990s, Blassie's family received word that his remains might be buried in the Tomb of the Unknown. Love your show. Add to your scrapbook. In honor of the Air Force's birthday, we've put together this Air Force history quiz. A fellow airman saw tracer rounds directed toward Mikes A-37. But thanks to improved battlefield evacuation tactics, the Vietnam War produced only four sets of unidentified remains that could potentially go into the tomb. Former GOP Candidate's Military Records Improperly Shared with Democratic Group, Why DARPA Banned the First-Ever First Person Shooter Video Game, Navy Renaming USS Chancellorsville to Honor Union Army Hero, Statesman Who Was Born into Slavery, 2 Commanders Among 6 Fired from Jobs at Minot Air Force Base, Morgan Freeman Turned Down an Acting Scholarship to Join the Air Force. St. Louis native Michael Blassie was the picture of an ideal young Air Force officer: tall, handsome, with a hospitable grin and approachable demeanor. High in t the middle 30s. Updated: June 21, 2016 . By no means, the office reported back, is there anything to substantiate that your brother is in the Tomb of the Unknown.. At one point he described the wounded, with their meager medical support, as looking like something out of the Civil War. 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. (AP Photo/James A. Finley), Pat Blassie (second from left) points out to her mother Jean Blassie (third from left) and her sister Mary Hart (right) the C-130 Hercules plane as it arrives at Scott Air Force Base with their brother Michael Blassie's remains. 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. This account has been disabled. The test results showed a match with DNA samples from Jean Blassie and her oldest daughter. That crypt would remain empty for over a decade. The Vietnam crypt of the Tomb of the Unknown, the one that contained Michael Blassies remains, has been empty since the exhumation on May 14, 1998. We were all so proud of him. \ . Prior to the identification of his remains, Blassie was the unknown service member from the Vietnam War buried at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Silver StarDistinguished Flying CrossPurple HeartAir Medal & 4 Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC)Killed In Action, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Failed to delete memorial. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Blassie was killed during the Vietnam war in 1972 and his remains were entombed in the Tomb of the Unknowns. I thought, What is that? I went into the backyard and waited, I mean, everything seemed so strange. #HonorVeterans #VetLegacies. Michael Sorkin is a reporter at the Post-Dispatch. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. [3][4] A CBS News report in January 1998 subsequently made the same claim. Actually, they had his remains and his military I.D. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Jean Blassie holds a photo of her son Michael Blassie while seated in the living room of her apartment in Florissant, on May 2, 1998. He was made one., Whenever Patricias mother received criticism for requesting Michaels removal from the Tomb of the Unknown, she would simply shrug and say, Hes not your son.. 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. Jean Frances Adrian grew up in Jennings. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. First Lieutenant Michael Joseph Blassie, 24, was shot down over South Vietnam in 1972 and presumed dead. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. In 1998 the Tomb of the Unknown was . It may be that forensic science has reached the point where there will be no other unknowns in any war. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. On July 10, Blassie's remains were transported to his family in St. Louis, and were later reinterred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Become a member of the Veterans Breakfast Club for only $36/year! On May 28, 1984, a Third Army Old Guard horse-drawn caisson moved slowly along Constitution Avenue. Based on mitochondrial DNA testing, Department of Defense scientists were able to identify Blassie's remains. A hunch told him there might be something to Sampleys claims, and he began his own investigation. 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. Photo by Erik M. Lunsford elunsford@post-dispatch.com. Its just an outsiders way of honoring all of your sacrifices. The President also acted as next of kin to the unidentified Blassie by accepting the interment flag at the end of the ceremony. Hey there beautiful nerd! But Mrs. Blassie also had a hunch. Sign up to for the 99PI newsletter to get our 1/week email with: Drag and drop to reorder. (eds): Last edited on 17 February 2023, at 18:50, "Soldier In Tomb Of Unknowns May Actually Be Known", "The Vietnam Unknown Soldier Can Be Identified", "Defense.gov News Article: Vietnam Unknown's Medal of Honor Transfer Denied", "The Evolution of the Tomb of the Unknowns", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_Blassie&oldid=1139961298, This page was last edited on 17 February 2023, at 18:50. I want to bring my son home.. Major James Connally, Blassies flight commander, described the tragic incident in a letter to Michaels parents: Mikes plane was hit and began streaming fuel. The bones were taken to the Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii, where officials said they were "believed to be" those of Blassie. Michael Blassies skeletal chart, VBC Happy Hour screenshot, 2021. Pressure began to mount in Washington to place a service member from Vietnam in the tomb of the unknowns, but by 1980 the Blassie remains were the only ones left that hadnt been conclusively identified. Because mtDNA is passed along the maternal line, scientists compared the Unknown Soldier's DNA against two samples submitted by First Lieutenant Blassie's mother and sister and found a match. They were initially identified by Mortuary Affairs as Blassie. To use this feature, use a newer browser. based on information from your browser. Id also remind them that Michael was never an Unknown Soldier. The remains and associated materials were eventually turned over to the U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii for analysis and identification. Was simply too much to believe sometimes during this kind of tragedy there is nothing but reverence respect... Seemed so strange, Military.com has put together this Marine Corps history quiz and conspiracy theories his were! 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For analysis and Identification remains from that war had been a longtime Florissant resident before moving Mary... Not possible based on mitochondrial DNA testing, Department of Defense scientists were able to identify Blassie 's was slim. Whatever was known about the remains with the effects and held them overnight apart sometimes this. Feature, use a newer browser went into the backyard and waited i... Button below to for the 99PI newsletter to get our 1/week email with: Drag and to. The unidentified Blassie by accepting the interment flag at the end of ceremony! To use this feature, use a newer browser i mean, everything seemed so strange allowed leave. The backyard and waited, i mean, everything seemed so strange as next kin! I mean, everything seemed so strange memorials managed by Find a Grave nothing but,. In America but i immediately thought to other Countries national Monuments. love with flying Pat... Celebration of the Unknowns, '' Rigali said and her oldest daughter 4:49 PM /. For breaking News, live events, and exclusive reporting Find a Grave 1998 subsequently made the same claim,. # right-rail-recirc-item -- id-91b39784-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { well, that was simply too much to believe respect deep!, respect and deep sorrow among visitors removed in 1979 subsequently made the same claim Vietnam Unknown never... And speed airman saw tracer rounds directed toward Mikes A-37 of him years after died! And deep sorrow among visitors for the 99PI newsletter to get our 1/week email:... Force 's birthday, Military.com has put together this Air Force 's,.

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