VA History in 100 Objects: Vietnam Unknown No More

On May 11, 1972, Air Force 1st Lieutenant Michael Joseph Blassie was shot down over the jungles of An Loc, Vietnam. Five months later his remains were found but not identified and labeled “X-26”. In 1984 his remains were interred in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The X-26 remains lay in the tomb for 14 years.
The Tomb was reopened in 1998, following speculation the remains may be Blassie’s, and subjected to previously unavailable mitochondrial DNA testing. On June 30, 1998, the Department of Defense announced they were indeed Blassie’s. The following month, at the family’s request, Air Force 1st Lieutenant Michael Joseph Blassie was reinterred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in his hometown of St. Louis. The Funeral Ceremony for Vietnam Unknown, Michael Blassie is Object 53 in the VA History in 100 objects virtual exhibit.
You can honor 1Lt Blassie by leaving a tribute on his Veterans Legacy Memorial page at www.vlm.cem.va.gov/MICHAELJOS...

[@user-zq4zi3dy3c]

Thank you for your extraordinary service! RIP

[@Hme-ph4lq]

VA history in one sentence: " Your disabilities are not service connected"

[@johnhackert2092]

She remains unrepentant for her traitorous actions and unforgiven by those who served.

[@choppergirlfpv]

The enemy of your government, is not your enemy, just because they tell you so. If you believe so, you may want to read George Orwell's 1984...
Wait, what day of the week is it? Are we at war with Eurasia, or Eastasia...
1945: Germany and Japan are your enemies, and Russia and China are our allies
1950: Germany and Japan are our allies, and Russia and China are our enemies