Blassie, Michael Joseph, 1948-1972

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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. 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. After his remains were identified by DNA testing in 1998, his remains were moved to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in South St. Louis County, Missouri.
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referencedIn Official Military Personnel File for Michael J Blassie. 1966-1998. National Archives at St. Louis
referencedIn United States Air Force Color Guard walk along a red carpet placed on the tarmac at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. They carry the remains of USAF First Lieutenant Michael Blassie. 1LT Blassie was shot down and killed in South Vietnam on May 11th, 1972. A mix up with dog tags and body identification led the remains listed as Unknown and buried in the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery (Not shown). Using DNA testing on May 14th, 1998, the remains were identified as those of 1LT Blassie and services were held in his honor. This image is seen in the September 1998 edition of AIRMAN Magazine. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn US Air Force STAFF Sergeant Angel Rodriguez, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the 436th Airlift Wing Honor Guard, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, escorts the hearse containing the remains of US Air Force First Lieutenant Michael J. Blassie during a POW ceremony for the pilot. For 26 years the Air Force pilot remained unidentified, and since 1984 he rested in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery until DNA tests confirmed his identity June 30. This image was used in the July 1998 issue of AIRMAN Magazine. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Members of the media from Scott, AFB, Air Force News and other organizations wait for the remains of USAF Lieutenant Michael Blassie, to arrive at Scott AFB, Illinois. The remains of Lieutenant Blassie are being returned to his family after lying unidentified for fourteen years in the Tomb of the Unknowns. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Members of the USAF Honor Guard prepare to fold the American flag, which will be presented to the family of USAF Lieutenant Michael Blassie, during the funeral service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Lieutenant Blassie was killed in action while flying a mission over South Vietnam. Lieutenant Blassie's remains have been returned to his family after lying unidentified for fourteen years in the Tomb of the Unknowns. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Family and escorts give proper respect as the 436th Airlift Wing Honor Guard from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, passes by with US Air Force First Lieutenant Michael J. Blassie's casket during the pilots POW ceremony. For 26 years the Air Force pilot remained unidentified, and since 1984 he rested in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery until DNA tests confirmed his identity June 30. This image was used in the July 1998 issue of AIRMAN Magazine. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Members of the USAF Honor Guard's Team of Pallbearers carry the remains of USAF Lieutenant Michael Blassie from the aircraft on the flight line at Scott AFB, Illinois. The remains of Lieutenant Blassie are being returned to his family after lying unidentified for fourteen years in the Tomb of the Unknowns. George Blassie the brother of LT Michael Blassie accompanied the remains from Dover AFB, Delaware. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Straight on medium shot of the headstone and final resting place of USAF First Lieutenant Michael Blassie at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. 1LT Blassie was shot down and killed in South Vietnam on May 11th, 1972. A mix up with dog tags and body identification led the remains listed as Unknown and buried in the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery (Not shown). Using DNA testing on May 14th, 1998, the remains were indentified as those of 1LT Blassie and services were held in his honor. This image is seen in the September 1998 edition of AIRMAN Magazine. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Jean Blassie (Right) and her son George Blassie, brother of USAF First Lieutenant Michael Blassie, gather at his gravesite in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. 1LT Blassie was shot down and killed in South Vietnam on May 11th, 1972. A mix up with dog tags and body identification led the remains listed as Unknown and buried in the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery (Not shown). Using DNA testing on May 14th, 1998, the remains were indentified as those of 1LT Blassie and services were held in his honor. This image is seen in the September 1998 edition of AIRMAN Magazine. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn The 436th Airlift Wing Honor Guard Team from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, loads the casket containing US Air Force First Lieutenant Michael J. Blassie's remains onto a C-141 Starlifter aircraft during a POW ceremony for the pilot. For 26 years the Air Force pilot remained unidentified, and since 1984 he rested in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery until DNA tests confirmed his identity June 30. This image was used in the July 1998 issue of AIRMAN Magazine. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn The 436th Airlift Wing Honor Guard, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, escorts the hearse containing US Air Force First Lieutenant Michael J. Blassie's remains during the pilots POW ceremony to a C-141 Starlifter aircraft. For 26 years the Air Force pilot remained unidentified, and since 1984 he rested in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery until DNA tests confirmed his identity June 30. This image was used in the July 1998 issue of AIRMAN Magazine. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Military Photographer of the Year Winner 1998Title: "Unknown No More"Category: Picture StoryPlace: Second Place Portfolio and the National Press Photographers Association Award. The remains of Air Force 1ST LT. Michael Joseph Blassie, formerly one of those interred in the Tomb of the Unknowns, were laid to rest with a name after 26 years of being listed "missing in action." The day after his funeral, his mother, Jean Blassie, his sister, Pat, and his brother, George, visited Jefferson's Barracks National Cemetery in Missouri to remember and share a few moments with Michael. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Gene Blassie (2nd from left) receives a folded American flag from USAF CHIEF of STAFF Michel Ryan during First Lieutenant Michael Blassie's funeral service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Missouri. 1LT Blassie was shot down and killed in South Vietnam on May 11th, 1972. A mix up with dog tags and body identification led the remains listed as Unknown and buried in the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery (Not shown). Using DNA testing on May 14th, 1998, the remains were identified as those of 1LT Blassie and services were held in his honor. This image is seen in the September 1998 edition of AIRMAN Magazine. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Members of the USAF Honor Guard carefully fold the American flag, which will be presented to the family of USAF Lieutenant Michael Blassie, during the funeral service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Lieutenant Blassie was killed in action while flying a mission over South Vietnam. Lieutenant Blassie's remains have been returned to his family after lying unidentified for fourteen years in the Tomb of the Unknowns. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Members of the USAF Honor Guard escort a Team of Pallbearers as they carry the remains of USAF Lieutenant Michael Blassie to a waiting hearse, on the flight line at Scott AFB, Illinois. The remains of Lieutenant Blassie are being returned to his family after lying unidentified for fourteen years in the Tomb of the Unknowns. A mock-up of a USAF T-39 Saberliner aircraft can be seen behind the hearse. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Many distinguished visitors including (R to L) The Honorable Rudy de Leon, Under Secretary of Defense, The Honorable Richard Gephart, (D-Missouri), The Honorable William S. Cohen and Mrs. Cohen, Secretary of Defense, The Honorable F. Whitten Peters, Secretary of the Air Force, and USAF General Michael Ryan, Air Force CHIEF-of-STAFF were in attendance at the funeral services of Lieutenant Blassie, held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Lieutenant Blassie was killed in action while flying a mission over South Vietnam. Lieutenant Blassie's remains have been returned to his family after lying unidentified for fourteen years in the Tomb of the Unknowns. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Family and escorts for US Air Force First Lieutenant Michael J. Blassie's remains proceed to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, flight line during the POW ceremony for the pilot. For 26 years the Air Force pilot remained unidentified, and since 1984 he rested in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery until DNA tests confirmed his identity June 30. This image was used in the July 1998 issue of AIRMAN Magazine. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Medium shot of USAF Air Force Color Guard as they carry out the flag folding detail during the burial ceremony for USAF First Lieutenant Michael Blassie at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. 1LT Blassie was shot down and killed in South Vietnam on May 11th, 1972. A mix up with dog tags and body identification led the remains listed as Unknown and buried in the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery (Not shown). Using DNA testing on May 14th, 1998, the remains were indentified as those of 1LT Blassie and services were held in his honor. This image is seen in the September 1998 edition of AIRMAN Magazine. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn A USAF Honor Guard Team of Pallbearers places a casket, which contains the remains of USAF Lieutenant Michael Blassie in a hearse on the flight line at Scott AFB, Illinois. The remains of Lieutenant Blassie are being returned to his family after lying unidentified for fourteen years in the Tomb of the Unknowns. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn United States Air Force Color Guard carry the remains of USAF First Lieutenant Michael Blassie's body from the rear of the hearse to his final resting place at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. 1LT Blassie was shot down and killed in South Vietnam on May 11th, 1972. A mix up with dog tags and body identification led the remains listed as Unknown and buried in the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery (Not shown). Using DNA testing on May 14th, 1998, the remains were indentified as those of 1LT Blassie and services were held in his honor. This image is seen in the September 1998 edition of AIRMAN Magazine. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn A USAF Color Guard presents the Colors, as a Team of Pallbearers carry the remains of USAF Lieutenant Michael Blassie from the USAF MC-130 Hercules aircraft from the 8th Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida parked on the flight line at Scott AFB, Illinois. George Blassie the brother of Lieutenant Blassie, accompanied the remains of Lieutenant Blassie, which are being returned to his family after lying unidentified for fourteen years in the Tomb of the Unknowns. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn The 436th Airlift Wing Honor Guard Team from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, removes the casket containing US Air Force First Lieutenant Michael J. Blassie's remains from the hearse as family members and escorts look on during the pilots POW ceremony. For 26 years the Air Force pilot remained unidentified, and since 1984 he rested in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery until DNA tests confirmed his identity June 30. This image was used in the July 1998 issue of AIRMAN Magazine. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Members of the USAF Honor Guard Team of Pallbearers pause for a moment of silence, on the flight line at Scott AFB, Illinois after carrying the remains of USAF Lieutenant Michael Blassie. The remains of Lieutenant Blassie are being returned to his family after lying unidentified for fourteen years in the Tomb of the Unknowns. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn During the funeral service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery a USAF Honor Guard member carefully examines the folded American flag, which will be presented to the family of USAF Lieutenant Michael Blassie. Lieutenant Blassie was killed in action while flying a mission over South Vietnam. Lieutenant Blassie's remains have been returned to his family after lying unidentified for fourteen years in the Tomb of the Unknowns. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Right side front medium shot from the chest up of USAF Captain Pat Blassie as she speaks a few words about her brother, USAF First Lieutenant Michael Blassie. CAPT Blassie serves in the Air Force Reserves in the Pentagon. 1LT Blassie was shot down and killed in South Vietnam on May 11th, 1972. A mix up with dog tags and body identification led the remains listed as Unknown and buried in the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery (Not shown). Using DNA testing on May 14th, 1998, the remains were indentified as those of 1LT Blassie and services were held in his honor. This image is seen in the September 1998 edition of AIRMAN Magazine. 1998. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn United States Air Force Color Guard carry the remains of USAF First Lieutenant Michael Blassie's body to his final resting place at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. 1LT Blassie was shot down and killed in South Vietnam on May 11th, 1972. A mix up with dog tags and body identification led the remains listed as Unknown and buried in the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery (Not shown). Using DNA testing on May 14th, 1998, the remains were indentified as those of 1LT Blassie and services were held in his honor. This image is seen in the September 1998 edition of AIRMAN Magazine. 1998. National Archives at College Park

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Death 1972-05-11

Birth 1948-04-04

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