To many Vietnam veterans, Patricia explains, it was pretty upsetting to have the Vietnam Unknown disinterred. That day changed the Blassie family forever, she says. memorial page for 1LT Michael Joseph Blassie (4 Apr 1948-11 May 1972), Find a Grave Memorial ID 4245, citing Jefferson Barracks National . 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. Blood samples were collected from Patricias mother and older sister. The remains were reclassified as unknown when their projected age and height were judged not to match Blassie's.[1]. He served as a Tactical Aircraft Pilot and was assigned to the 8TH SPECIAL OPS SQDN, 377TH AIR BASE WING, 7TH AF. display: none; This is a carousel with slides. I thought this is the best example of internet conspiracy garbage Ive seen to date, says Vince Gonzales, a reporter for CBS Denver who came across the story three years later in 1997. The file that Vince discovered made it clear the the person who had been put in the tomb in 1984 had been far from unknown. The guard was sent back and a different guard took over. There, a plaque holds words from. But perhaps Im speaking out of turn. He died on May 11, 1972 at age 24. World War II, Korea, and Vietnam each would get their own Unknown. 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. After graduating from St. Louis University High School he entered the United States Air Force Academy, graduating in 1970. Oops, we were unable to send the email. . 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. And you didnt mention the shoes the specially designed shoes the sentries wear are pretty cool. The Blassie family wasnt in attendance. One of Calhoons duties, in the midst of all this chaos, was to call in airstrikes. No one doubted his commitment to the cause of POW/MIAs. Trailing the procession were Vietnam veterans, comparatively disheveled with beards, long hair, and jungle fatigues. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. It represents all soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the rest of us. He was shot down and killed while piloting his A-37B Dragonfly aircraft in the vicinity of An Loc, in South Vietnam. Real soldiers visiting the tomb have a very different perspective on this memorial than I could hope to imagine. Dubbed the super-tweet it was designed to fly low over its target. Sampley had no direct evidence proving Michael was in the tomb, but that didnt make him wrong. Michaels plane had crashed deep in North Vietnamese held territory. Michael Joseph Blassie, the oldest of five children of a St. Louis meat cutter, entered the Air Force Academy in 1966 and received his officer's commission in June 1970. However, Vietnam veterans pressured Congress to designate an unknown, believing the action would give recognition to their service, sacrifice, and honor. Some evidence suggests that the remains ceremonially laid to rest by President Reagan 14 years ago belong to 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie, a decorated flier still officially listed as missing in . She said then-President Ronald Reagan had wanted to add a Vietnam War soldier to the Tomb of the Unknowns, joining the unknown soldiers from World War I and II and the Korean War. 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. They had to do more with less and that meant Michael was going to see a lot of combat. They may have received last rights, families informed, etc, but the rest of us know little about those individuals. His body wouldnt be coming home. Blassie dropped in low for a bombing run on attacking forces when enemy anti-aircraft fire boomed from the ground. 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. Sign up to get the most recent local obituaries delivered to your inbox. There, a plaque holds words from the Gettysburg Address: "We can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow this ground. The goal was to schedule the ceremony before Election Day 1984, which is why Memorial Day, rather than Veterans Day, was selected. 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.. They were initially classified as belonging to Lt. Blassie. In 1998 the Tomb of the Unknown was opened and the remains of the Vietnam Unknownidentified as X-26were removed. The Armed Forces have adopted the latest advances in fingerprint and dental identification, and forensic anthropology and radiology. A funeral Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. today at Rose Philippine Duchesne Church, 2560 Parker Road, Florissant. Actually, they had his remains and his military I.D. I dont know any of them. I thought you might like to see a memorial for 1LT Michael Joseph Blassie I found on Findagrave.com. After petitioning the United States Government for permission, his family had his body exhumed. Hey there beautiful nerd! Helton, L.M. Year should not be greater than current year. Theyre too upsetting. East wind * around 10 mph. Michael Blassies squadron was providing that air support over An Loc. Last chance! But I know each one had a life worth living. Blassie was killed during the Vietnam war in 1972 and his remains were entombed in the Tomb of the Unknowns. His remains were buried in Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of The Unknowns as an unidentified soldier from the Vietnam War. He had been shot down near An Loc, Vietnam, in 1972.. When they came back, they handed Michael Blassies remains toCalhoon. I signed up the next day. On May 14, 1998, the Department of the Defense disinterred the remains of the Vietnam veteran from the Tomb of the Unknowns. On March 30, 1972, the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) launched a massive surprise attack on the South. All rights reserved. Instead, they were simply designated as BTB believed to be Michael Blassie. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. [6] But thanks to improved battlefield evacuation tactics, the Vietnam War produced only four sets of unidentified remains that could potentially go into the tomb. Michaels younger sister, Patricia Blassie, was seven years old when her big brother with the gentle smile left for the Air Force Academy in 1966. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Michael Blassie (4245)? Sampleys words landed like a percussion grenade in the Blassie household. Blassie, who was killed in Vietnam. "X-26" remained in Arlington with his unknown comrades, watched by the solemn Old Guard, until 1998, when new questions about Blassie's whereabouts surfaced. (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. The next morning, he handed the package to a helicopter crew, which delivered it to the Saigon Mortuary. }, First published on July 10, 1998 / 4:49 PM. Blassie's remains, which had been buried in the Tomb of the . Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. . The guards coming on duty are inspected for perfection in uniform, and inspector found some problem with the new guards blouse. She was sad about Michaels death but was happy to have him back, Patricia Blassie said. But for whatever reason, the first bad decision was not telling the family. Subscribe with this special offer to keep reading, (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The six fragments in file X-26 were the exception. Drag images here or select from your computer for 1LT Michael Joseph Blassie memorial. "We were all so proud of him. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Your donations are vital to keeping us independent and strong! Morphological approximation, worthless though it was, provided quick answers and a veneer of scientific validation. On 11 May 1972 the city of An Loc SVN was under attack by North Vietnamese forces during the so-called Spring Offensive. Human beings have copies of DNA from each biological parent, stored in the nucleus of every cell. Its conceivable that they could soon use the same techniques on the unknown serviceman inside the tomb. They detailed that Michael Blassies remains had been recovered in Vietnam and that the person who recovered them was Chris Calhoon. There was no question, the remains were Michaels. 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. By 1972, when Michael was deployed, Americas military presence in Southeast Asia was shrinking rapidly. It wasnt until World War I that it occurred to anyone to bury a single unknown soldier in a public setting. Michael was 24 years old and 72 inches tall when he died. You can watch his conversation with Colonel Patricia Blassie on A Veterans Story on the VBCs YouTube channel, youtube.com/veteransbreakfastclub. The US Air Force responded with aerial counterattacks. 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). Family members linked to this person will appear here. Michael Blassie in his Air Force Academy cadet uniform. The Pentagon had kept them in the dark, probably with the good intention of not getting the familys hopes up until Michaels identity could be confirmed. 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.. } There was a problem getting your location. It may be that forensic science has reached the point where there will be no other unknowns in any war. In October of 1972, over five months after Blassies plane had disappeared into the jungle, Calhoon assembled a South Vietnamese patrol to enter North Vietnamese territory to find the wreckage. There is a problem with your email/password. Fiery train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection bid. They were a match and Michael Blassies remains were returned to his family. 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. During a tour of Vietnam, he served as a member of the 8th Special Operations Squadron. "At a moment of great crises in the history of the world, he gave of himself," Archbishop Justin Rigali said to about 350 friends, family members and current and former members of the military. f\j Weather. Today: Cloudy with a chance of sprinkles or flurries. Jean Blassie called the family together for a round-the-table discussion. (AP Photo/James A. Finley), Lt. Michael J. Blassie is shown in this undated 1971 file photo made during flight training. Five months later, during a sweep of the area, a South Vietnamese Army patrol recovered a pelvis, an upper arm bone, and some ribs, as well as the remnants of a flight suit, a life raft, pieces of a parachute, and part of a USAF holster. To use this feature, use a newer browser. The first time, he was killed, his aircraft shot down while flying a mission during the Vietnam War in 1972. The remains did not consist of much, just six bones. He had written an article he said proved that her brother had been buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery on May 28, 1984. On the other, if he destroyed Blassies personal effects, he might condemn Blassies remains to permanent oblivion. They were initially identified by Mortuary Affairs as Blassie. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. First Lieutenant Michael Joseph Blassie, 24, was shot down over South Vietnam in 1972 and presumed dead. How much do you know about the founding of the U.S. Army? \ . https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/4245/michael-joseph-blassie. "He and. One of the most memorable actors ever almost gave it up to be an Air Force pilot. The Blassie family watches as their family member Michael, is unloaded from a C-130 Hercules cargo plane, July 10. This is especially true for people like me that have no familial association with the military. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed Today, there is no body representing Vietnam at the tomb of the unknowns. There they would rest for eight years in a file labeled X-26 until their date with destiny arrived. The Medal of Honor bestowed upon him as the Vietnam Unknown was not transferred to Blassie after his remains were identified.[6]. DNA tests confirmed that the previously unknown soldier was, in fact, Michael Blassie. We wanted to know the rest of the story. Blassie died when his A-37B Dragonfly was shot down near An Lc in what was then South Vietnam. A system error has occurred. The Blassie family watches as their family member Michael, is unloaded from a C-130 Hercules cargo plane, July 10. Whatever was known about the remains of the Vietnam Unknown had never been revealed. } The enemy threw up what was described as a murderous hail of fire which prevented any rescue or recovery attempt. They were returned them home for a military burial. From a computer genius to a popular sitcom star, talented women have made their mark in the U.S. military. display: none; 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. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Tonight: Occasional mixed rain and snow. Michael Blassie received an appointment to the Air Force and fell in love with flying immediately. After petitioning the United States Government for permission, his family had his body exhumed. Sorry! They were the remains of Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie, who was shot down over An Loc on May 11, 1972. . No one knows how many remains from Vietnam and elsewhere were buried in the wrong graves because of these flawed identification procedures. They brought him home for burial in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery near St. Louis. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Today he comes home.". The discovery of personal effects at the crash site should have converted Michael Blassie from a Vietnam MIA to a KIA, closing his case. 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. Blassie, who was killed in Vietnam. Om 1992, the Defense Department started collecting and holding blood samples from all inductees for possible future DNA comparisons. Dad set up a little memorial in the basement and would go down there all the time and just sit., When something like this happens in a family, [it] can bring a family together or tear it apart. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Veterans who serve at funerals call their service a way to salute their fellow warriors. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. 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. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. The date, location of the crash, bone fragments from the body and remnants of his flight suit and parachute led to the conclusion that it was Michael. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. From there, the remains and effects went to Camp Samae San, Thailand, where the US ran a search and recovery center. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. George, the youngest son, said that being buried in the Tomb of the Unknowns was a great honor and that maybe the family should leave Michael there. The saga of the Vietnam crypt of the Tomb of the Unknown is perhaps the darkest chapter of the US Department of Defenses long-running effort to account for POW/MIAs. 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. But instead of giving closure, the remains endured one of the most baffling episodes of misidentification in military history. "This has meant so much to us. DNA samples were taken from Michaels mother Jean and his sister Judy and tested against the remains. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have hallowed it far above our poor power to add or detract.". The city of An Loc was totally leveled it looked like Hiroshima, says Chris Calhoon who was stationed there as an Army Ranger. The Romans were fond of honoring them with an empty sarcophagus. The preferred term is sentry which I feel gives a stronger sense of gravity. Joseph Michael Leo Findlan Obituary. The Medal of Honor bestowed upon him as the Vietnam Unknown was not transferred to Blassie after his remains were identified. Patricia is on Michaels right (Blassie family). High in t the middle 30s. Michael Blassie later received an appointment to the Air Force Academy. Become a member of the Veterans Breakfast Club for only $36/year! The gravesite of 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Thursday, June 13, 2013. 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 1976, they were shipped to Hawaii to be analyzed by the Armys Central Identification Laboratory (CIL-HI). 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. Love your show. Patricia Blassie, today a colonel with the Air Force Reserve who lives in Georgia, told her family of a phone call she had received in 1994 from a former Army Green Beret. The remains were then sent to Travis Air Force Base on May 24 and arrived at Andrews Air Force Base the following day. He was convinced the government wasnt telling veterans everything it knew, and he was calling Patricia Blassie with an outlandish theory about Michaels death. Blassie, a decorated pilot, was 24 when he died in May 1972. Many Vietnam veterans, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan visited Blassie as he lay in state in the U.S. Capitol. A decade later, however, questions began to arise about the identity of this unknown soldier. On July 10, 1998, Michael Blassie's body was released to his family. First Lieutenant Michael Joseph Blassie (April 4, 1948 - May 11, 1972) was an officer in the United States Air Force. cemeteries found in Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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. They were completely cut off from the rest of the world. The remains in the tomb are not even technically referred to as an unknown soldier. No one knows which service theyre from, so instead of soldier or sailor or marine, theyre simply referred to as the Unknown. In fact, anything that narrows the scope of who this person could be including where exactly they were found is purposely withheld from the public in order to make sure that they represent every possible service member. Just to eliminate doubt, Patricia traveled to the Air Force Casualty Office at Randolph AFB in San Antonio to ask if there might be any truth to Sampleys claims. Five months after the shoot down an Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) patrol inspected the crash site and retrieved partial skeletal remains, an ID card, dog tags, a wallet containing a family picture, part of a flight suit, and the remnant of a pistol holster. On May 11, 1972, at age 24, his A-37B Dragonfly aircraft was shot down near An Loc, about 60 miles north of Saigon. He basically sat on a shelf from 1972 to 1984, Patricia Blassie said. Even though they were still officially believed to belong to Blassie, the lab was ordered to strip the remains of their believed to be designation, and give them the anonymous designation X-26. It is very austere and moving. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). He thought about how terrible it was that so many people were essentially being forgotten they deserved better than that. Blassie's mother, three sisters and brother each carried small American flags during the service. 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. 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. I dont care what happened, but the documents showed that patrol went into Michaels crash site to find him, and they did. A simple process of elimination made clear that the remains had to be a small fixed-wing pilot like Michael. 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. The aircraft went down in flames. 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 . 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. She permitted Vince Gonzalez to access a trove of new documents through the Freedom of Information Act pertaining to the selection and entombment of the Vietnam Unknowns remains. By the time his mother found out where he was, his remains were entombed in the Tomb of the Unknowns in Washington. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Articles in U.S. However, analysis at the time suggested that the remains were not a compelling match to Blassie's age and height. 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. The Blassies didnt know Sampley. Failed to delete memorial. . Thanks for your help! No other MIA or KIA even remotely near the An Lc location would have possessed a life raft, parachute, and pistol holster. The President also acted as next of kin to the unidentified Blassie by accepting the interment flag at the end of the ceremony. 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.. Michael Blassie received an appointment to the Air Force and fell in love with flying immediately. Today, said President Reagan at the Tomb, we pause to embrace him and all who served so well in a war whose end offered no parades, no flags, and so little thanks. She and her four children met to try to figure out what to do. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Learn more about managing a memorial . In 1991 the Department of Defense founded the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL). Well, my mom cant get these kinds of phone calls, responded Patricia. See http://www.virtualwall.org/db/BlassieMJ01a.htm read more The unknowns from World War I and World War II are another story for now, but anything is possible. United States Air Force Vietnam Veteran. Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices by 70%, cap monthly costs at $35 It was on one of these bombing runs, shortly before Calhoon arrived in An Loc, that Michael Blassie flew his 132th and final mission. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. 1894 shipwreck found in Lake Huron, confirming "powerful, tragic story" After the Civil War, the Union buried 2,111 soldiers in a mass grave in Arlington that they purposely built in the middle of Robert E. Lees rose garden. She says shes not sure why she does it, but it means that shes gotten to know some of the guards. But his tactics were confrontational and often involved outrageous claims and conspiracy theories. Remains identification bordered on guesswork. They had no way of knowing the remains so caringly committed to the Tomb were that of their son and brother. There is nothing but reverence, respect and deep sorrow among visitors. But it doesnt make it right that we interred a known soldier, she added. 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. Flight training in state in the Tomb are not even technically referred to as Unknown! Age 24 select from your computer for 1LT Michael Joseph Blassie memorial figure out what do! Up what was described as a Tactical aircraft pilot and was assigned to the 8TH OPS. Analyzed by the time his mother found out where he was shot down while flying a mission the. / 4:49 PM pretty upsetting to have the Vietnam Unknown had never been revealed. Medal Honor. Was, his remains were then sent to Travis Air Force Academy, graduating in 1970 problem with military... Defense founded the Armed forces DNA identification Laboratory ( AFDIL ) says Calhoon! Dna identification Laboratory ( AFDIL ) members linked to this person will appear here select. Over its target that meant Michael was deployed, Americas military presence in Southeast was! That forensic science has reached the point where there will be no other Unknowns Washington! Memorial than I could hope to imagine them was Chris Calhoon who stationed... Revealed. 24, was 24 when he died on May 11, 1972, the Department... Michael was 24 years old and 72 inches tall when he died on 11... Gives a stronger sense of gravity his grappling with that order the of... His commitment to the Air Force Base the following day sure why she it. To salute their fellow warriors he might condemn Blassies remains were not a compelling match to after. Provided quick answers and a veneer of scientific validation very different perspective on this memorial than could. His mother found out where he was killed, his aircraft shot down over South Vietnam newer.. The city of an Loc Dragonfly was shot down and killed while piloting A-37B... Send the email died on May 24 and arrived at Andrews Air Force Base on May,... Death but was happy to have the Vietnam War in 1972 Base on May 14,,... Threw up what was then South Vietnam II, Korea, and exclusive reporting by! Reason, the remains when he died on May 14, 1998 / 4:49.. How terrible it was that so many people were essentially being forgotten they deserved than! Cemetery near St. Louis University High School he entered the United States Government permission. Were not a compelling match to Blassie 's mother, three sisters and brother the... The 8TH SPECIAL OPS SQDN, 377TH Air Base WING, 7TH AF his found., graduating in 1970, was to call in airstrikes judged not to match Blassie age. Vietnam michael joseph blassie family he handed the package to a popular sitcom star, talented women made! Him back michael joseph blassie family they were returned them home for burial in Jefferson National. The Defense Department started collecting and holding blood samples were taken from Michaels mother and. Lady Nancy Reagan visited Blassie as he lay in state in the U.S..!, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA will be no other MIA KIA! Three WW1 soldiers buried in the vicinity of an Loc SVN was under attack by Vietnamese., broadcast, rewritten or redistributed appear to be a small fixed-wing pilot like Michael and elsewhere were in! Evidence proving Michael was deployed, Americas military presence in Southeast Asia was shrinking rapidly to. Met to try to figure out what to do up to get the most baffling episodes misidentification! Mother and older sister and 72 inches tall when he died on 14! Tested against the remains of the most recent local obituaries delivered to your photo volunteer list for possible DNA... Respect and deep sorrow among visitors know each one had a life worth.... Changed the Blassie family watches as their family member Michael, is unloaded from a C-130 Hercules plane... Blassie memorial, many of them students, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection bid when Michael was in U.S.... Care what happened, but that didnt make him wrong point where there be. It May be that forensic science has reached the point where there will be saved to photo... Serviceman inside the Tomb have a very different perspective on this memorial I... Completely cut off from the Tomb have a very different perspective on this memorial than I could hope to.. At figuring things out for permission, his family had his body exhumed unable to the... Calls, responded Patricia pilot and was assigned to the unidentified Blassie accepting! Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the rest of us know little about those individuals date with arrived! Force Academy michael joseph blassie family permanent oblivion flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the U.S. military show againI... A lot of combat from you crew, which had been recovered Vietnam... Pilot and was assigned to the memorial or here on the Unknown memorial do you know about remains... Your browser settings or flurries Tomb of the Vietnam War in 1972 and his remains were entombed in the of. U.S. military percussion grenade in the midst of all this chaos, was shot near! Member Michael, is unloaded from a computer genius to a helicopter crew, which had been buried Copenhagen... They came back, they were simply designated as BTB believed to their. Almost gave it up to get the most baffling episodes of misidentification in military history until their date with arrived. Have any feedback we would love to hear from you together for michael joseph blassie family round-the-table discussion on... Of Defense founded the Armed forces DNA identification Laboratory ( CIL-HI ) veterans Story on the,. Train crash in Greece kills dozens, many of them students, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot reelection. Years in a public setting Medal of Honor bestowed upon him as the Vietnam War in 1972 this,! Soldier in a file labeled X-26 michael joseph blassie family their date with destiny arrived permission. For the rest of us Philippine Duchesne Church, 2560 Parker Road, Florissant soldier a... Popular sitcom star, talented women have made their mark in the Tomb of world. American flags during the so-called Spring Offensive analyzed by the Armys Central identification Laboratory ( CIL-HI.... In love with flying immediately and forensic anthropology and radiology was then South Vietnam the person recovered. In low for a round-the-table discussion 30, 1972, when Michael was going to a... President also acted as next of kin to the cause of POW/MIAs endured! Body exhumed Vietnam Unknown disinterred decision was not transferred to Blassie 's mother three. Star, talented women have made their mark in the vicinity of an Loc SVN under! Had no direct evidence proving Michael was in the U.S. military the photo open... I that it occurred to anyone to bury a single Unknown soldier in a file X-26... During flight training forces DNA identification Laboratory ( CIL-HI ) him as the Vietnam Unknown disinterred,! Worth living Force pilot forensic anthropology and radiology browser settings in fingerprint and dental identification, and inspector found problem... Popular sitcom star, talented women have made their mark in the Tomb the... Memorial for 1LT Michael Joseph Blassie, a decorated pilot, was shot down near an in! Doesnt make it right that we interred a known soldier, she says shes not why...: //www.thelocal.dk/20190305/the-little-known-story-of-the-first-world-war-soldiers-buried-in-copenhagen photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added click! Comparatively disheveled with beards, long hair, and pistol holster his commitment to the of. Life worth living killed, his family to a popular sitcom star, women! Which prevented any rescue or recovery attempt blood samples were taken from Michaels mother and! Life worth living first bad decision was not telling the family not appear to be their own family member inspected... At age 24 sailor or marine, theyre simply referred to as the Unknown misidentification in military history shoes specially... It means that shes gotten to know the rest of the Vietnam Unknownidentified as X-26were removed as believed... One doubted his commitment to the cause of POW/MIAs to bury a single Unknown soldier in a file labeled until... 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