The Soldier Who Was in the Unknown Tomb Quiz

Answer: False

On May 7, 1998, the Government made the decision to open the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Secretary of Defense William Cohen made the announcement of the grave opening indicating there could be a possible identity of the remains of the Vietnam War soldier. However, there wasn't a body, only the bones of part of a pelvis, upper arm bone, and four ribs.

Answer: First Lieutenant Michael Blassie

On May 11, 1972, First Lieutenant Michael J. Blassie flew for the Air Force and piloted an A-37B Dragonfly aircraft over An Loc, about 60 miles north of Saigon in South Vietnam when he was shot down. Major James Connally was his flight commander and watched helplessly as Blassie's plane turned over, took a nose-dive, and exploded on impact.

The crash took place in a heavily controlled enemy force area, making it virtually impossible for an immediate attempt in recovering their comrade. Sgt. Major Allan Kellogg, Jr. was a Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War who placed a wreath at a ceremony at Pearl Harbor before the casket that held Blassie's remains. And lastly, Airman 1st Class Michael Leonard was one who was honored to carry Blassie's casket and fold the American flag for the family at his final resting place.

Answer: St. Louis, Missouri

Michael Joseph Blassie was the oldest of five children. He attended St. Louis University High School, where he earned a music scholarship for playing the bassoon. He was captain of his soccer team and excelled in tennis. Michael graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1970. He also had become quite serious with his girlfriend.

Answer: False

It was five months, on October 31, 1972, when ARVN forces were sweeping the area and discovered a crash site. However, since eight other servicemen went down the same day as Blassie, evidence of the remains found wase not certain. They recovered a few human bones, a life raft, remnants of a flight suit, parachute pieces, and part of a holster with USAF on it.

They bagged it and marked "BTB (Believed To Be) Lt. Blassie" then sent it to Hawaii for possible identification. But over time, and inconclusive testing, the remains were later designated and marked as "Unknown".

Answer: fine china

The Friday before Mother's Day, in May 1972, George and Jean Blassie were informed of the tragic news about their eldest son. Michael had purchased and shipped some fine china to his mother as a gift. Just a few days before that package arrived, an unopened box of home-baked chocolate chip cookies were returned from Vietnam.

His mother had shipped them over as a gift for his 24th birthday.

Answer: True

Pat served as a captain in the Pentagon and made many visits to the Tomb of the Unknowns. On Memorial Day, May 28, 1984, President Ronald Reagan eulogized the interment and awarded the Medal of Honor to the Unknown Soldier of the Vietnam War. Pat had no idea at that time, the unknown soldier wasn't unknown after all.

It was her brother. Pat was 14 years old when her brother left for Vietnam to serve his country.

Answer: Mississippi

Michael did his pilot training and was pinned with his silver wings by his parents at Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, Mississippi. Lou Adams Pennebaker met Michael while she was attending Mississippi University for Women in Columbus. Michael had taught her to play golf, and they spent a year together before he left for Vietnam. Plans of their marriage was even made upon his return from the war.

Answer: The Memory Tree Foundation

Lou Adams Pennebaker was sitting at her kitchen table in Meridian, Mississippi, when, 26 years later, CBS News declared that the Unknown Soldier was First Lt. Michael J. Blassie. I have personally had the honor of hearing this woman tell of her experiences while she was with Michael and the years of having to endure without him. Needless to say, I sobbed through her entire speech.

At the end of it, we were allowed to see some letters he had written to her, his pictures, and other personal items that she had kept over the years.

It was here, that I learned about The Memory Tree Foundation and had the honor of being a part of it. Each Veteran's Day and Memorial Day, thousands of yellow ribbons adorned the Memory Tree and each ribbon personalized with names of one who had served or was then serving the Armed Forces. I had the special priviledge of adding my yellow ribbon to this tree in memory of my own father who had served as a Marine in the Korean War.

Her story, like her life, was heart-breaking, but she made a difference in the lives of military families.

A building at Columbus AFB was named for Michael and is called, "Blassie Hall". It was very unfortunate and sad too, but The Memory Tree was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005.

Answer: Lucille Ball

Michael was designated as her official escort when she spent a month at the academy he was attending. She was there shooting the comedy movie, "Yours, Mine and Ours" (1968) with Henry Fonda, Van Johnson, and Tom Bosley. Lucy could be seen many times wearing Michael's athletic jacket onto the movie set.

Answer: All of these are correct

An MC-130 airplane from Michael's unit, the 8th Special Operations Squadron, flew Michael back home to Missouri. His family buried him on July 11, 1998 at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, on the banks of the Mississippi River, next to his father who also served in WWII.

It had been reported that 3,000 to 5,000 people attended the emotional funeral service, mostly veterans of the Vietnam War that came to pay tribute and honor one of their own fallen comrades. Among others in attendance were Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen, other government and military dignitaries, and of course, the love he left behind, Lou Adams Pennebaker.

There are still over 2,000 American soldiers unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. The Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery still holds unknown soldiers from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War who have not yet been returned home. Hopefully, with DNA and modern scientific technology, there will never have to be another, "Unknown Soldier". Please remember our soldiers who are in the Middle East serving their country today, and the families they have left behind.