Florissant in St. Louis County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

First Lieutenant Michael J. Blassie

Vietnam Era Unknown Soldier

— 4 April 1948 - 11 May 1972 —

First Lieutenant Michael J. Blassie Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 9, 2020

1. First Lieutenant Michael J. Blassie Marker

Inscription. Florissant patriot graduated Air Force Academy, fighter pilot 8th Special Ops Squadron Vietnam. Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross Air Me[d]al. May 11, 1972 his A-37 Dragonfly was shot down during his 138th combat mission. His remains, classified "unknown but to God", randomly chosen Vietnam Unknown Soldier at Arlington with full military honors, Medal of Honor by President Reagan. Advances in DNA identified remains in 1998 & he returned home to Florissant for funeral at St. Dismas, internment [sic - interment] at Jefferson Barracks.

Erected 2018 by City of Florissant.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #40 Ronald Reagan, and the Valor in Aerial Operations series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1972.

Location. 38° 47.662′ N, 90° 19.735′ W. Memorial is in Florissant, Missouri, in St. Louis County. It is on Saint Francois Street east of Rue St. Jean, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in front of VFW Post 4105. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 410 St Francois St, Florissant MO 63031, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: James E. Fischer (a few steps from this marker); Dr. Rance Thomas

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(a few steps from this marker); Richard "Dick" Kellett (a few steps from this marker); Kenneth J. "Ken" Otto (within shouting distance of this marker); Paul J. Kohnen (within shouting distance of this marker); Judge Timothy W. Kelly, Sr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Albert J. Behlmann (within shouting distance of this marker); Mark A. Behlmann (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florissant.

More about this memorial. Marker was dedicated on May 30, 2018. Blassie's brother, George, spoke at the ceremony along with a local Army recruit who was to leave town. It was the 32nd plaque as part of the City of Florissant's "Walk Through History" series.

Also see . . . Michael Blassie on Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 4, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Photographed by Jason Voigt, February 9, 2020

2. First Lieutenant Michael J. Blassie Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 484 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 4, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.