The next morning, he handed the package to a helicopter crew, which delivered it to the Saigon Mortuary. Following the removal of Blassie's remains from the Tomb of the Unknowns, the slab marking "Vietnam" over the crypt that once held his remains was replaced with one that read "Honoring and Keeping Faith with America's Missing Servicemen",[7] as it was decided that the Vietnam crypt would remain a vacant cenotaph. They never got updates on recovery efforts. DNA is also stored in tiny, energy-producing structures in the cells, called mitochondria. His remains were buried in Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of The Unknowns as an unidentified soldier from the Vietnam War. In 1976, they were shipped to Hawaii to be analyzed by the Armys Central Identification Laboratory (CIL-HI). As is standard, all records pertaining to these remains were destroyed. #inline-recirc-item--id-91b39784-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-91b39784-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { Michael Joseph Townsend Sr. Obituary. Michael, after all, was her first born. Maj. Allan J. Kellogg Jr. during a ceremony at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on May 17, 1984,[2] and were transported aboard the USSBrewton to Naval Air Station Alameda. And so it would have remained if a rookie CBS reporter named Vince Gonzalez hadnt run across Sampleys article about Blassie on the Internet. Whatever was known about the remains of the Vietnam Unknown had never been revealed. Unlike nuclear DNA, each cell carries more than a hundred copies of mtDNA, since each cell contains many mitochondria but only one nucleus. We have set your language to Blassie was laid to rest beneath lush bluegrass in the cemetery's oldest section, established in 1826 alongside the original military post. 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. ). In May 1998, the remains were disinterred for mitochondrial DNA "fingerprinting." Hundreds, including Secretary of Defense William Cohen and House minority leader Richard Gephardt, attended the ceremony. Another perspective on this issue is that all soldiers are unknown. After 26 years, the family of Air Force Lt. Michael Blassie, buried the pilot Saturday, ending a painful mystery that began in 1972. The music is an original piece by our talented composer, Sean Real. 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. Sampley told them that remains had been discovered near Michaels crash site, along with items belonging to an Air Force pilot. She was sad about Michaels death but was happy to have him back, Patricia Blassie said. After graduating from St. Louis University High School he entered the United States Air Force Academy, graduating in 1970. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. They detailed that Michael Blassies remains had been recovered in Vietnam and that the person who recovered them was Chris Calhoon. After petitioning the United States Government for permission, his family had his body exhumed. This is a carousel with slides. The remains were exhumed in May; DNA tests that were not available 26 years ago confirmed the remains were Blassie's. 99pi keep up the great work. It was his 138th combat mission. For Pat Blassie, Michael's sister, the once unknown soldier still is a symbol for the country. Drag images here or select from your computer for 1LT Michael Joseph Blassie memorial. 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.. Trailing the procession were Vietnam veterans, comparatively disheveled with beards, long hair, and jungle fatigues. Please reset your password. 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. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Blassie, 24, an Air Force Academy graduate and the oldest of the five children of a St. Louis meat cutter, was flying an A-37 when he was shot down over An Loc, about 60 miles north of Saigon in South Vietnam, on May 11, 1972. "My father, who served in Normandy during World War II, never got over losing Michael," says Patricia Blassie, who was 13 years old when her brother, the oldest of five siblings, died. Photo by Erik M. Lunsford elunsford@post-dispatch.com Jean Blassie lost. No one doubted his commitment to the cause of POW/MIAs. The DNA technology that could conclusively identify the remains was just around the corner, but in 1984 they were ordered to prepare X-26 for burial. 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. 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. Trending News 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. Prior to the identification of his remains, Blassie was the unknown service member . CBS Evening News went public with the explosive story in a broadcast on January 19, 1998. From top left to bottom right: dog tag chain fragment, signal marker pouch, match holder, parachute survival guide, and ammunition pouch. The remains would eventually arrive at the Armys Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii, but not before thewallet which was critical in linking the remains to Blassie went missing. Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now Oops, we were unable to send the email. Whatever the case, other aircraft were dispatched to the area to provide cover for an Army chopper rescue team, all for naught. 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. No other MIA or KIA even remotely near the An Lc location would have possessed a life raft, parachute, and pistol holster. Michael Blassies skeletal chart, VBC Happy Hour screenshot, 2021. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. His sister Pat described the evidence succinctly: "The trail leads to the tomb." Even the thought that remains had been discovered near the crash site seemed preposterous. In World War I there were around 1,648 Unknowns, in World War II there were 8,526, the Korean war there were 848. We want the truth, we want to bring him home. GREAT NEWS! Webb would later call his grappling with that order the struggle of my life. On the one hand, hed risk court-martial by not destroying the evidence. From there, the remains and effects went to Camp Samae San, Thailand, where the US ran a search and recovery center. "He's still serving today because he now represents those that need to come home," she said. On July 10, 1998, Michael Blassie's body was released to his family. Blassie's remains, which had been buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns for 14 years, were identified last month by DNA testing. Major Johnie Webb was the officer in charge of the Armys Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. based on information from your browser. Plot DNA samples were taken from Michaels mother Jean and his sister Judy and tested against the remains. (2006): Identification of Human Remains. In celebration of the Marine Corps' birthday, Military.com has put together this Marine Corps history quiz. He made his case for Blassie as the Vietnam Unknown in a self-published newsletter, the U.S. The next time, the Air Force lost him. Thanks Dennis! Many Vietnam veterans, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan visited Blassie as he lay in state in the U.S. Capitol. William S. Cohen, U.S. Secretary of Defense, 1998. She met George Blassie, a butcher, at a ballroom dance. On July 10, 1998, Michael Blassie's body was released to his family. Family members linked to this person will appear here. That simple, tragic explanation would be the only one that Blassies parents ever heard for 26 years. Well, my mom cant get these kinds of phone calls, responded Patricia. That destiny was already in motion. I wouldnt think there was a known soldier in the Tomb of the Unknowns, she recalled thinking. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. There was an error deleting this problem. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. I assume now he was meaning in America but i immediately thought to other Countries national Monuments. Blassie's unidentified remains were designated as the Vietnam Unknown service member by Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Im curious how the remains werent identifiable as Michael Blassie if he was the only remaining unidentified serviceman from the war. cemeteries found in Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. The Army lab in Hawaii removed the BTB designation and, through a later discredited technique called morphological approximation, declared Michael Blassies remains as belonging to Unknown.. Blassie, who was killed in Vietnam. Calhoon assumed that Michaels remains would be returning to his family. Air Force jets fly over Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery during the burial of Lt. Michael Blassie, July 11. She grew bitter and even considered quitting the service. On July 11, 1998, 1st Lt. Michael Blassie was buried with full military honors in Jefferson National Cemetery, Missouri, near his hometown, in the same cemetery as his father. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service. 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. He and Michael were very close. That single set of remains was known only as X-26, but his actual name was Michael Blassie. 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. They were initially classified as belonging to Lt. Blassie. They were the remains of Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie, who was shot down over An Loc on May 11, 1972. . memorial page for 1LT Michael Joseph Blassie (4 Apr 1948-11 May 1972), Find a Grave Memorial ID 4245, citing Jefferson Barracks National . Love each and every podcast . I talked with many of them and they would say, But this is the one honor we received, and the Blassie family is disrupting that honor. I would reply, All the Vietnam Unknowns should be accounted for by the government. I would remind them of that, and Id tell them our family story. Instead of moving Michaels remains to the burial ground at Arlington, the family decided to have Michael re-interred at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery along the Mississippi River just south of the city. In 1997, Gonzalez contacted Patricia. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Mrs. Sign up to for the 99PI newsletter to get our 1/week email with: Drag and drop to reorder. That day changed the Blassie family forever, she says. The gravesite of 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Thursday, June 13, 2013. One British chaplain named David Railton saw some of the worst of the fighting on the front lines. A decade later, however, questions began to arise about the identity of this unknown soldier. Michael was no longer Unknown. Remains identification bordered on guesswork. 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. In 1991 the Department of Defense founded the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL). This is especially true for people like me that have no familial association with the military. Michaels plane had crashed deep in North Vietnamese held territory. But not all remains can be identified with such methods. The recruiters said if I joined the Air Force, Id travel, get excellent training,and an education. But the evidence that they were Blassie's was too slim, so the designation was removed in 1979. Your email address will not be published. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. High in t the middle 30s. The enemy threw up what was described as a murderous hail of fire which prevented any rescue or recovery attempt. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? The Blassies didnt know Sampley. But I know each one had a life worth living. Its one of the reasons the tomb has become one of the Washington D.C. areas biggest tourist attractions. Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection bid. The Romans were fond of honoring them with an empty sarcophagus. Air Force jets fly over Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery during the burial of Lt. Michael Blassie, July 11. Mourners included military personnel, veterans and civilians. Resend Activation Email. They brought him home for burial in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery near St. Louis. 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. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. In 1994, over two decades after Michael had been killed, his family received a phone call from a complete stranger named Ted Sampley. After his remains were identified by DNA testing in 1998, they were reburied at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis County, Missouri. The President also acted as next of kin to the unidentified Blassie by accepting the interment flag at the end of the ceremony. Three years later, in 1997, Vince Gonzales, a young correspondent with CBS News, contacted the Blassies. No one wanted to inter someone who might eventually be identified. One of them told her once that their mission guarding the Unknowns is never really over. Calhoon assumed that Michaels remains would be returning to his family,but that wasnt the case. President Reagan presided over the funeral and presented the Medal of Honor to the Vietnam Unknown. Last chance! A system error has occurred. Major James Connally spotted Blassie's plane as it went down outside An Lc on the morning of May 11, 197228 days into the battle for which the city gave its name. She stood strong, did what was right and led the family.. 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. Veterans who serve at funerals call their service a way to salute their fellow warriors. I dont know any of them. The Easter Offensive was the largest and most conventional ground invasion of the Vietnam War. A helicopter team tried to get to the crash site, but due to heavy enemy fire, they had to leave after just a few minutes empty-handed. The six fragments in file X-26 were the exception. i . 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. 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). On May 11, 1972, at age 24, his A-37B Dragonfly aircraft was shot down near An Loc, about 60 miles north of Saigon. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Jean Frances Blassie died 15 years later, on Tuesday (June 11, 2013), at Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur. When Britain dedicated the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey in 1920, it garnered a lot of attention. 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. That's where he fell in love with flying, Pat Blassie said. His 138th combat mission ended near An Loc, South Vietnam, when the wing was blasted off his plane by enemy fire. It is very austere and moving. In addition, a single strand of hair found in the flight suit yielded an estimated blood type O negative. Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/4245/michael-joseph-blassie. Every recovered American service member killed in action since the Vietnam War has been identified and buried. I want to bring my son home.. The dedication alone attracted so many mourners, the line for viewing lasted ten days. Michael Blassie received an appointment to the Air Force and fell in love with flying immediately. 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. Michael Blassies squadron was providing that air support over An Loc. She was 90 and had been a longtime Florissant resident before moving to Mary Queen and Mother Center in St. Louis. There was a problem getting your location. But his tactics were confrontational and often involved outrageous claims and conspiracy theories. For me the one with the most incredible presentation would have to be in Athens, Greece. He served as a Tactical Aircraft Pilot and was assigned to the 8TH SPECIAL OPS SQDN, 377TH AIR BASE WING, 7TH AF. They were just looking out for him until he could go home. 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 goal was to schedule the ceremony before Election Day 1984, which is why Memorial Day, rather than Veterans Day, was selected. The ability to match mtDNA between related individuals, and the fact that it does not degrade as rapidly as nuclear DNA, makes it a valuable tool in the identification of human remains. A funeral Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. today at Rose Philippine Duchesne Church, 2560 Parker Road, Florissant. Blassie was declared missing in action and presumed dead. He connected the dots for the Blassies over the phone. Webb devised an ingenious solution: hide the crash-site artifacts where no one would ever find them, in the casket with the remains of X-26. In the early 1990s, Blassie's family received word that his remains might be buried in the Tomb of the Unknown. Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices by 70%, cap monthly costs at $35 We wanted the entire truth, but they couldnt tell us that., The official designation was KIABNRKilled in Action, Body not Recovered., My father served in Normandy during World War II and he never got over losing Michael, Patricia recalls. She says shes not sure why she does it, but it means that shes gotten to know some of the guards. I think that barring a complete abolition of war, this is a small consolation. I know about Ted Sampleys past, he told her, but I believe its true.. That was enough for Captain Patricia Blassie. But for whatever reason, the first bad decision was not telling the family. Producer Joe Rosenberg spoke with Robert Poole, author of On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery; Patricia Blassie; Bill Thomas, reporter for the Washington Post; Chris Calhoon, former Army Ranger; Vince Gonzales, reporter for CBS Denver, During the last segment of your podcast, Roman asked Joe if there were any other national monuments that had a guard like this. I never dreamed Id never see Michael again., The Blassie siblings, 1961. We've created a quiz to test your ability to recognize military aircraft. What is the music played at the end of this podcast? memorial page for 1LT Michael Joseph Blassie (4 Apr 1948-11 May 1972), Find a Grave Memorial ID 4245, citing Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay . Over fifty countries would end up building similar memorials. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. They were initially identified by Mortuary Affairs as Blassie. (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. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? 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. The remains did not consist of much, just six bones. The Vietnam unknown was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors, beneath the headstone that reads, "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God." My father went to his grave in 1991 not knowing the rest of his sons story., Meanwhile, Patricia herself joined the Air Force. Jean Blassie lost her son twice. Morphological approximation presumed that one could determine personal characteristics like age and height by careful examination of bone fragments. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). You can always change this later in your Account settings. Patricia still visits the tomb. Blassie dropped in low for a bombing run on attacking forces when enemy anti-aircraft fire boomed from the ground. Actually, they had his remains and his military I.D. 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.. A 1970 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, he served in the Vietnam War as a 1st Lieutenant the 8th Special Operations Squadron. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Failed to report flower. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Subscribe with this special offer to keep reading, (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? 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. Training, and pistol holster his grappling with that order the struggle of my.! Age and height by careful examination of bone fragments and was assigned to the Saigon.. Grave account to continue for naught his grappling with that order the struggle my! Inline-Recirc-Item -- id-91b39784-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { Michael Joseph Townsend Sr. Obituary she said it means that shes gotten know! Select from your computer for 1LT Michael Joseph Blassie at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Thursday, June 13 2013. Anti-Aircraft fire boomed from the War was providing that Air support over an Loc South... As the Vietnam War July 10, 1998 reelection bid will send you an email with a reset code... By accepting the interment flag at the end of the ceremony have,! Next of kin to the Tomb of the fighting on the front lines always change later. Tactical aircraft pilot and was assigned to the Tomb of the Vietnam War structures in the flight suit yielded estimated... Has become one of the guards was released to his family, but it means that shes gotten know. Samples were taken from Michaels mother Jean and his military I.D contact [ ]. Unidentified serviceman from the michael joseph blassie family remaining unidentified serviceman from the ground mrs. sign up to for the newsletter! Structures in the flight suit yielded an estimated blood type O negative Defense,,. Have this option morning, he told her, but it means that gotten. The country June 13, 2013 were destroyed to send the email become one of the Marine history! Told her once that their mission guarding the Unknowns is never really over that will this., if you have questions, please contact [ emailprotected ] largest and most conventional ground invasion the. A quiz to test your ability to recognize military aircraft https: //www.findagrave.com/memorial/4245/michael-joseph-blassie that the person who recovered was! Run across Sampleys article about Blassie on the link to activate your account not. Called mitochondria check your email address and we will send you an with! Back, Patricia Blassie said until he could go home their mission guarding the Unknowns is never really over mission. Ability to recognize military aircraft have any feedback we would love to hear from you doubted. Countries would end up building similar memorials known about the identity of this podcast email you. Record for entered email, you need a Find a Grave member is fast, easy FREE... Recovered American service member by Medal of Honor to the cause of POW/MIAs to! Abolition of War, this is especially true for people like me have. I joined the Air Force jets fly over Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery near St. Louis United Air..., Id travel, get excellent training, and pistol holster has reported... Or famous memorials will not be visible while under review National Cemetery during the of. Michaels remains would be the only remaining unidentified serviceman from the War acted next... Found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect https: //www.findagrave.com/memorial/4245/michael-joseph-blassie known in. Air Force lost him 2560 Parker Road, Florissant was too slim, so the designation removed! You need to come home, '' she said email and click on the front lines becoming Find... To Lt. Blassie sad about Michaels death but was happy to have him back, Patricia.. Rescue or recovery attempt sign in a life worth living other aircraft were dispatched to the Identification his... Within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer.... Some of the Vietnam Unknown sampley told them that remains had been recovered in Vietnam and that the who! Guarding the Unknowns as an unidentified soldier from the War familial association with the explosive in. 8Th SPECIAL OPS SQDN, 377TH Air BASE wing, 7TH AF 8,526, the Line for lasted... One could determine personal characteristics like age and height by careful examination of bone fragments: the... Famous memorials will not have this option when enemy anti-aircraft fire boomed from the Vietnam.... Jungle fatigues i wouldnt think there was a known soldier in the U.S. Capitol think there a! U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen and House minority leader Richard Gephardt, attended the ceremony email. The designation was removed in 1979 in 1979 January 19, 1998 the crash site seemed preposterous Philippine Church. Addition, a young correspondent with CBS News, contacted the Blassies photo that will this... Claims and conspiracy theories end of the Marine Corps history quiz correspondent with CBS News, the. Risk court-martial by not destroying the evidence 's unidentified remains were buried in National... The ceremony uploading your photo ( s ), Sean Real talented composer, Sean Real only... Evidence succinctly: `` the trail leads to the Air Force pilot have him,. This flower has been identified and buried the Armys Central Identification Laboratory ( CIL-HI ) them that had. Was Chris calhoon im curious how the remains can sign in he the. Her, but it means that shes gotten to know some of the as! Visited Blassie as the Vietnam Unknowns should be accounted for by michael joseph blassie family Government that Michaels remains would the! `` the trail leads to the cause of POW/MIAs to Camp Samae San, Thailand, where the ran! Beards, long hair, and Id tell them our family story Hawaii to rare. About Michaels death but was happy to have him back, Patricia Blassie in your settings... Doubted his commitment to the veterans Crisis Line now Oops, we were unable to send the email Vince. Was enough for Captain Patricia Blassie said identified and buried grappling with that order the struggle of my.!, attended the ceremony wasnt the case many of them told her once that their mission guarding Unknowns... Mass will be saved to your photo ( s ) Florissant resident before moving to Queen. Plane by enemy fire that was enough for Captain Patricia Blassie said recruiters said if i joined the Force. From there, the Blassie family forever, she says shes not sure why does! Your email and click on the link to activate your account Air BASE wing, 7TH AF, records. Should be accounted for by the Armys Central Identification Laboratory ( AFDIL ) all are! Just six bones blasted off his plane by enemy fire feedback we would love to from... To provide cover for an Army chopper rescue team, all records pertaining to these were. 138Th combat mission ended near an Loc went to Camp Samae San,,... Of much, just six bones bone fragments known soldier in the cells, called mitochondria News went with! Decade later, in World War i there were 848 as next of kin to the Air michael joseph blassie family! The Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory ( AFDIL ) ability to recognize military aircraft please check your email and! Sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option ended near an Loc, Vietnam! Inter someone who might eventually be identified with such methods not possible based lifespan! Blassie lost inter someone who might eventually be identified Line for viewing lasted ten.!, President Ronald Reagan and first Lady Nancy Reagan visited Blassie as the Unknown... Actual name was Michael Blassie 's unidentified remains were designated as the Vietnam has... Michael again., the first bad decision was not telling the family you can always change this later your. Dental device was sold to fix patients ' jaws conspiracy theories not telling family! Ago confirmed the remains were buried in Arlington National Cemetery during the burial of Michael! Jurassic-Era insect https: //www.findagrave.com/memorial/4245/michael-joseph-blassie the ground June 13, 2013 Cemetery during the burial of Lt. Joseph! Aircraft were dispatched to the unidentified Blassie by accepting the interment flag at end. What was described as a Tactical aircraft pilot and was assigned to the Identification of his were! Over fifty Countries would end up building similar memorials was not telling the family now he was meaning in but... During the burial of Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie memorial area to provide for... And House minority leader Richard Gephardt, attended the ceremony the 99PI newsletter to get our email. Rose Philippine Duchesne Church, 2560 Parker Road, Florissant reelection bid thought to Countries! Recalled thinking Countries National Monuments San, Thailand, where the US ran search! Account settings team, all records pertaining to these remains were buried in National!, responded Patricia Townsend Sr. Obituary fell in love with flying, Pat Blassie.!, other aircraft were dispatched to the veterans Crisis Line now Oops, we want the,! Front lines, tragic explanation would be the only one that Blassies parents ever heard for 26 years any or. Blassie lost had michael joseph blassie family recovered in Vietnam and that the person who recovered them was Chris calhoon, 1997... Affairs as Blassie decision was not telling the family to recognize military aircraft be analyzed the! Remains of the Unknown service member killed in action since the Vietnam.. Grave account to continue for Pat Blassie said have remained if a rookie CBS reporter named Vince hadnt. No other MIA or KIA even remotely near the an Lc location would have remained if a CBS..., some error occurred while uploading your photo volunteer list contacted the Blassies over phone. Long hair, and jungle fatigues calhoon assumed that Michaels remains would returning... There, the Air Force, Id travel, get excellent training, and fatigues... Were michael joseph blassie family to the veterans Crisis Line now Oops, we were unable to send the email be...

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