THE WALL OF FACES

JOSEPH WILLIAM BLICKENSTAFF JR.

United States Army



Nearly three decades after her son's death. Doris Blickenstaff recorded the special place she held in her heart for her eldest son, born on August 11, 1949, in Baltimore, Md. "Joe was my firstborn, which is always a joy itself. I can say he was everything you could ask God for in a son..."

His family later relocated to Carroll County, Md., just south of the Pennsylvania line. Because of the rural postal delivery routes, the Blickenstaff's were assigned a Littlestown postal address within Adams County's border - an action that placed Joe among the 18 Adams County servicemen killed in Vietnam.

While his family lived near Pennsylvania, Joe stayed in Baltimore, where he finished high school in 1967 at Polytechnic Institute. He joined the Army on September 23, 1968, and took his basic training at Fort Bragg, N.C., before reporting for individual instruction at Aberdeen, Md. Shortly thereafter, he reported for duty at Fort Knox, Ky., as a vehicle mechanic for eight months before he received orders for Vietnam in October 1969. His first unit "in country" was the 40th Signal Battalion, but he left this organization after a short stint to accept an assignment with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, also known as "The Blackhorse Cavalry" - so dubbed for the unit insignia, which featured a black horse.

After a year in the field with the regiment, he voluntarily extended his tour and was assigned as an aerial reconnaissance observer with the Air Troop component of the command. On December 19, 1970, while flying in a light observation helicopter on a combat mission. Blickenstaff and his pilot were killed when enemy ground fire destroyed their aircraft.

Joe died trying to help his fellow servicemen by locating enemy troops - a sacrifice his mother mourns, yet lauds, 29 years later. "I am proud my son gave his life for his fellow brothers in the service," she said.

Joe rest in Gardens of Faith Cemetery at Overlea, Md. Later this year his remains will be removed to Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Finksburg, Md. His name is engraved on Panel 6 west, Line 131.



Above photo and info forwarded by Wayne E. Motts, military history researcher.



 

Blick,

Your former Blackhorse Troopers are in contact with your family. Your memory lives on through your family and Blackhorse brothers.

Allons!

May 28, 1989, Carroll County Sun: U.S. Spec 5 Joseph W. Blickenstaff Jr., 21 of the 11th Armored Cavalry Division, died Dec 19, 1970 when his plane was shot down over Vietnam. At the time of his death, he was a spotter in low-flying aircraft, said his mother, Doris Blickenstaff, of Silver Run. He was born Aug 11, 1949, and attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, graduating in 1967. He was a member of the Police Boys Rifle Club, and won several team and individual titles during competitions. He was also active in the Boy Scouts, Mrs Blickenstaff said. Specialist Blickenstaff entered the Army in 1968, taking his basic training in North Carolina, then moving to Aberdeen, Harford County, for additional schooling. Given the choice of six months in Vietnam or one year in Germany before leaving the service, he took the Vietnam tour, his mother said. Besides his mother, he was survived by his father, Joseph W. Blickenstaff Sr., also of Silver Run; three brothers, Fred, Bernard and Frank; and two sisters, Linda and Donna.

As one of the 1046 Marylanders who made the ultimite sacrifice we are honored to post your photograph. Operation Remember will continue until we have recovered the photos of all our fallen brothers from the State of Maryland.

Visit www.vva451.org and click Operation Remember banner for more details.

SPECIALIST 5

JOSEPH W BLICKENSTAFF JR


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11th ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT


" THE BLACKHORSE REGIMENT "





YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE