Michael Blassie

First Lieutenant Michael Joseph Blassie (April 4, 1948—May 11, 1972) was an officer in the United States Air Force. Prior to identification of his remains, Blassie was the Unknown service member from the Vietnam War buried at the Tomb of the Unknowns. After graduating from St. Louis University High School, Blassie entered the United States Air Force Academy. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1970. He then served as a member of the 8th Special Operations Squadron. Blassie died when his A-37B Dragonfly was shot down near An Loc in what was then South Vietnam. He was the first cousin of professional wrestling star Fred Blassie. Partial skeletal remains were retrieved from the area of the crash 5 months after...