THE WALL OF FACES

My father is Major Leroy I. Blankenship, U.S.M.C, killed in action 01 April 1969 in Antenna Valley, South Vietnam. He is in the center of the picture, wearing the flight suit and sunglasses. On his left is Col. Robert E. Stoffey U.S.M.C (Ret.), who sent me this picture taken at Marble Mountain Airfield outside DaNang in early 1969.

My dad joined the Marines as a private in Renton, Washington in August 1946, in the occupation phase of World War II. As a Master Sergeant, he served with the First Marine Division in Korea in 1951-52, taking part in the heavy fighting in the Hwachon Reservoir and the “Punch bowl” offensive. After Korea, my dad was assigned to Officers Candidate School in Virginia and, after that, flight school in Florida. In 1965-66, he did his first tour of duty in Vietnam, flying helicopters with HMM-163, stationed in Phu Bai. He returned to Vietnam in January 1969, with HMM-263, stationed at Marble Mountain.

Semper Fi, Sir.

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

SEMPER FI MARINE!

Leroy is buried at Ft Rosecrans Nat Cem.