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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly SP '59
Thomas David Blazina No. 15390 CLASS of 1946
Died November 5, 1957, in an aircraft accident at Landstuhl A.F.B.,
Germany, aged 32 years. |
On November 5, l957, at Landstuhl AFB,
Germany, Tom met his untimely and instant death when his F-86D,
all weather fighter interceptor developed mechanical trouble
and crashed on take off during a test flight.
Father Mailloux (Chaplain at Landstuhl) wrote to Tom's parents
a month after the fatal accident, he said, "As in the
case with all fliers who love flying as Tom did, and who combine
it with devotion to God and country, it is as if he still continues
his flight. Those whom he leaves behind mourn his leaving, but
in reality there could be no more glorious a summons to appear
before God's throne. When we fool; upon God's Will in this light,
I am sure we can all be consoled." A year later, Father
Mailloux wrote again, saying, "Although I am, comparatively
speaking a "youngster" in service, I will say that
never in my six years' duty have I known anyone who has had more
influence on others, especially in a spiritual and moral way,
than Tom. This has been most noticeable since God took him, his
name is mentioned so often and in a way that conveys the impression
that he has not gone but merely transferred to another station.
I felt this last year, and it has worked out so, and I feel it
will go on. Tom's work continues and it seems to be the most
important assignment he ever had, because it's working in the
hearts of those who knew him."
From a very early age, Tom knew he wanted a military career,
his high school days were spent at Morgan Park Military Academy
in Chicago,where he established a scholastic record, which has
never been broken in the long history of the academy, maintaining
an 98.8 average during his four year course. Tom received appointments
to both West Point and Annapolis. Prior to his appointment to
West Point, Tom spent 60 days attending officers Candidate School
at Fort Benning, Georgia. Tom entered West Point in June 1943.
As a cadet, he maintained a high scholastic standard and also
distinguished himself as a gymnast. As a member of the Gymnastic
Team, he was never defeated in intercollegiate competition in
his specialty, tumbling and he was also a Cheer Leader during
his last year. While at West Point, Tom acquired the nickname
of "Sleepy" due to the fact he was so closely connected
to his "Red Boy" during Beast Barracks. Upon graduation
in June, 1946 fighter transition was taken at Williams AFB, then
two years were spent at March AFB, California with the 94th
F.l.S. In 1948 Tom took Post Graduate work at the California
Institute of Technology in Aeronautical Engineering. The next
two years were spent at Eglin AFB, Florida, where he was project
officer on various jet-aircraft. From there back to West Point
as an instructor, his last Year there serving as Assistant Professor
in the Department of Mechanics. Tom's proud moment in life
occurred on July 20, 1953, when he accompanied his Dad to a White
House Reunion with his Dad's old Lieutenant of the Mexican Border
Days of 1916, now President Eisenhower. At the time of his
death, Tom was operations officer and Assistant Commander of
the 526th F.I.S., based at Landstuhl. His tour of duty was to
have ended in April of 1958, and he had been selected to attend
the Naval War College.
While stationed at March, Tom met his wife, Marylyn Louise
Hunter, who was working in nearby Riverside. It seemed those
8 1/2 years spent together were so short, yet so full of complete
understanding and happiness, they were unfortunate in only one
respect, they were not blessed with any children.
On November 7th, Memorial Services with a Requiem Mass
were held at the Landstuhl Base Chapel, where hundreds of Tom's
friends paid their final respects to an outstanding officer.
Tom's final wishes were granted when burial services with military
honors were held at West Point on November 14th, followed by
interment at the Post Cemetery.
In June 1958, a perpetual trophy was initiated by the
officers and men of the 526th F.I.S. It is known as the Major
Thomas D. Blazina Memorial Trophy. The large silver punch bowl,
mounted on an ebony stand, will be presented annually to the
outstanding pilot and aircraft crew chief in the squadron based
on individual performance at rocketry training, and in future
years, for mission training in the squadron. The Trophy is the
most highly prized award in the squadron and the Blazina family
is very pleased and proud that it bears Tom's name. .
In losing Tom, the Air Force lost an exceptional and brilliant
officer and a potentially great leader, his parents lost a devoted
son, his sister a wonderful brother his friends a true and dependable
friend, and his wife lost a wonderful and loving husband and
partner in marriage.
---his wife
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