JOSSLYN F BLAKELY JR
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HONORED ON PANEL 11E, LINE 107 OF THE WALL

JOSSLYN F BLAKELY JR

WALL NAME

JOSSLYN F BLAKELY JR

PANEL / LINE

11E/107

DATE OF BIRTH

01/24/1940

CASUALTY PROVINCE

NZ

DATE OF CASUALTY

10/26/1966

HOME OF RECORD

MONTEVALLO

COUNTY OF RECORD

Shelby County

STATE

AL

BRANCH OF SERVICE

NAVY

RANK

LT

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Contact Details
ASSOCIATED ITEMS LEFT AT THE WALL

REMEMBRANCES

LEFT FOR JOSSLYN F BLAKELY JR
POSTED ON 10.7.2012

The Tragic Fire on the USS Oriskany

The fire started when a magnesium flare ignited in a ready ammo locker near frame 44 in the forward section of the ship. Shipboard fires are not uncommon, and ORISKANY's crew responded promptly and properly to this one. However, the primary firefighting tool available in the magazine area was an inexhaustable supply of salt water - but water alone cannot extinguish magnesium fires. The heat of the flare ignited other ordnance, including 5' ZUNI rocket warheads. Heavy, incapacitating smoke was rapidly drawn into the ship's ventilation system, while fireballs from exploding ordnance ignited secondary fires among fully fueled aircraft in Hangar Bay 1. The combination of toxic smoke and scattered secondary fires blocked passageways and caused numerous casualties. The Air Wing's officers were particularly vulnerable, since many of them occupied quarters in the immediate vicinity of the fires and were unable to escape to the hangar bays or flight deck. For some, the only escape route was downward into the lowest decks of the ship - but they found that the unending stream of salt water being sprayed above them drained downwards with them. In one instance, a ship's company officer who was a qualified diver donned scuba gear and swam down a vertical trunk to rescue a seaman trapped in a 7th-deck pump room. By the time the fires were controlled and extinguished, dozens of ORISKANY's Air Wing and crew were dead and hundreds more injured. Killed in HELICOPTER SUPPORT SQUADRON 1 (HC-1) were LT Josslyn F. Blakely, Jr.; LT Julian D. Hammond, Jr.; LTJG Gerald W. Siebe; LTJG James R. Welsh; and ENS Daniel O. Kern [Taken from vhpa.org]

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POSTED ON 10.26.2009
POSTED BY: 60's Girl

On Your Angel Day

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service to our country and for the sacrifice of your precious life.

It is a privilege to be able to honor you for standing up for what was right and for the courage that you demonstrated.

I know that there are many who say that the loss of your life was in vain and that the Vietnam War was a senseless war, but for this American that is not true. What you did for the freedom of others was not in vain but has always been and will always be an example of good and honor today and for generations to come.

You will never be forgotten by me, or by those you loved, or by those you served with.

In honor of your Angel Day I leave this poem for you:

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts.
And we are never, ever the same.” ~ Unknown

PS - I'm so happy that your and your sweetheart are together again. God bless you both!
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POSTED ON 2.20.2009
POSTED BY: Julie James Moselle

On behalf of my friend and his wife, Shannon

My dear friend Shannon joined her beloved husband, Lyn, after a courageous battle with cancer. She loved him so much and often talked about his bravery. He left behind not only his wife, but two small daughters. When Shannon passed, she smiled and called out his name.
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POSTED ON 9.27.2003
POSTED BY: Chris Spencer

NATIVE AMERICAN PRAYER

It's said a man hasn't died as long as he is remembered. This prayer is a way for family, friends and fellow veterans to remember our fallen brothers and sisters. Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die.
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POSTED ON 9.13.2003
POSTED BY: Chris Spencer

NATIVE AMERICAN PRAYER

It's said a man hasn't died as long as he is remembered. This prayer is a way for family, friends and fellow veterans to remember our fallen brothers.
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush of
quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
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