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Photographer: J. J. Prats
Taken: April 8, 2017
Caption: Lance Corporal Howell Frank Blakey
Additional Description: Cap 1-3-8, CACO 1-3, 1st CAG, Combined Action, III MAF, United States Marine Corps.

November 28, 1948 to April 11, 1970

Howell graduated from Jackson P. Burley High School in 1967. He studied agribusiness at Virginia State University. His sister Pauline said he always wanted to be a farmer. He was a member of a Combined Action Platoon that lived with and protected a Vietnamese village. On April 11, 1970, Howie’s patrol was ambushed. He stayed under fire while ordering the other two marines to go for help. When relief arrived, he was found killed in action.

LCpl Blakey was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, the National Defense Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Howie is buried in his backyard in Free Union, Va, next to his mother.
Submitted: April 15, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
Database Locator Identification Number: p380296
File Size: 1.372 Megabytes

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