THE WALL OF FACES

To the family of PFC Thomas J Blackman USMC,

I recently found the information that your loved ones remains were found and returned in 2005, I am grateful he is home where he belongs, may he rest in peace. I would like to personally thank him for his service and sacrifice. I have been wearing his bracelet since 1992. I am not sure how I feel about taking it off, it has become a part of me. I would like to return it to you if you would like it, and I will probably start to wear another soldiers name hoping for the same results of them being returned, or I still plan to get to the wall someday and they say I can leave it there, Let me know if you have a preference, I hope to have contact with someone in his family, God Bless you all ~

Thomas Blackman is remembered on Docs Wisconsin 37 Tribute page, along with all the WI. Vietnam War POW/MIA. www.war-veterans.org/Wi37.htm

Silver Star
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Thomas Joseph Blackman (MCSN: 2398632), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Field Artillery Fire Control Man with Battery D, Second Battalion, Thirteenth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 10 May 1968, Private First Class Blackman was a member of a detachment of two howitzers at the United States Army Special Forces camp at Ngok Tavak in Quang Tin Province. In the early morning hours, the camp was attacked by a reinforced North Vietnamese Army battalion who penetrated the camp's defensive wire in two places and, utilizing grenades, mortars, B-40 rockets and automatic weapons, attempted to overrun the hill top position. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Private First Class Blackman unhesitatingly left his covered position and moved across the compound under heavy hostile fire to the portion of the defensive perimeter where the enemy attack was concentrated. Arriving in the area as an adjacent storage area containing 104-mm. high explosive ammunition began to explode, he ignored the danger from enemy grenades, small arms fire and detonating ordnance as he stood on top of the protective berm and delivered accurate fire against the assaulting North Vietnamese. For approximately thirty minutes, he fearlessly maintained his perilous position as the enemy attempted to silence his effective fire. Subsequently, he was killed by automatic weapons fire. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, Private First Class Blackman was instrumental in repulsing the enemy assault and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Action Date: May 10, 1968

Service: Marine Corps

Rank: Private First Class

Company: Battery D

Battalion: 2d Battalion

Regiment: 13th Marines

Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.)

Tom,

I think of you often with sorrow and sadness, wishing life was not so unfair.

To an old high school buddy.

Too young to die, you gave the ultimate sacrifice for what you believed in. God bless you and rest in eternal Peace Tom.