THE WALL OF FACES

CAPT Edward Aloysius Blake is buried in the Southern Memorial Park in Biloxi, MS.

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from your sister and brother are especially poignant. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...

Captain Edward Aloysius Blake, Served with the 1st Air Commando Squadron, 34th Tactical Group, 13th Air Force.

U.S. Air Force Captains Edward Aloysius Blake and John Christopher Knaggs were A-1E Skyraider Pilots assigned to the 1st Air Commando Squadron based at Bien Hoa Airbase, Republic of South Vietnam. On October 29, 1964, they departed Bien Hoa Airbase on a routine instrument check flight. According to eyewitness accounts, shortly after takeoff, smoke was observed coming from under the engine cowl of the A-1E. The smoke and flame intensified and the aircraft crashed approximately five kilometers south of the airbase, killing both Americans.

Both officers were assigned to the 1st Air Commando Squadron, 34th Tactical Group, 13th Air Force. Captain Blake, an Air Force veteran of over 10 years, was from Long Beach, Mississippi and was 29 years old and married when he died. Captain Knaggs was a 1952 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. From 1962 to May of 1964 CPT Knaggs was the officer in charge (OIC) of the installation/check-out of a Minuteman Missile installation near Parshall, North Dakota before he volunteered for a flight assignment and was sent to Vietnam. He had over 14 years of service and was 37 years old and married when he died.

We served in Vietnam at same time but I think we never met. I am retired Security Policeman and appreciate the service of all Spad Pilots. Condolences to your family