No Longer Unknown - A Grave In the Right Place Now - Out of Place Graves on Waymarking.com

Lieutenant Michael Blassie

Lieutenant Blassie was a highly decorated fighter pilot during the Vietnam War.  His plane was shot down in the vicinity of An Loc in South Vietnam on May 11, 1972.  He was declared as deceased body not recovered. 

Now for the other part of the story.

 

Plaque at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Arlington National Cemetery

"In 1973 Congress passed Public Law 93-43 directing the Secretary of Defense to inter an unknown American serviceman from the Vietnam Conflict at The Tomb of the Unknowns.  The sophisticated identification techniques were remarkably efficient, and it was not until 1984 that remains of an American serviceman were classified as unidentifiable. During ceremonies at Pearl Harbor on May 17, 1984, Sgt. Maj. Allan Kellogg, Jr., A Medal of Honor recipient during the Vietnam Conflict, placed a wreath before the casket, formally designating the Unknown from the Vietnam Conflict.  The Unknown was placed aboard the USS Brewton for transport to the mainland United States. The Unknown arrived at the U.S. Capitol on May 25, 1984, where he lay in state for three days in the Rotunda. On Memorial Day, May 28, 1984, an elaborate funeral procession transferred the body to the Memorial Amphitheater. During the service, President Ronald Reagan presented the Medal of Honor to the Unknown.  The Vietnam Unknown was then borne to the plaza and following religious rites, a 21 Gun Salute was rendered.  The solemn service concluded with 3 volleys of rifle fire, followed by the sounding of Taps." - from above plaque

With the advancements with mitochondrial DNA testing it was determined that remains in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were Lieutenant Blassie's. He was exhumed May 14, 1998. His remains were returned to his family July 10, 1998 in St Louis and he was buried in Jefferson Barrack National Cemetery, St. Louis Missouri on July 11, 1998.

Based on the advancements in remains identification it seems unlikely that a body of truly unknown soldier from the Vietnam War will be found, it has been determined the crypt will remain empty.

To read more about this history visit link

A grave where it does belong, unique how it got there.

First Name: Michael Last Name: Blassie Born: 04/04/1948 Died: 05/11/1972

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