SSGT, US AIR FORCE
PERSIAN GULF
SILVER STAR
PURPLE HEART
John Blessinger was married and had two daughters. He and his family lived in Fort
Walton Beach, Florida, where his hobby was tinkering with and fixing old
cars. The 16th Special Operations Squadron is based at Hurlburt Field,
Florida, where most of its members were stationed when they embarked for the
Middle East.
Name: John P. Blessinger
Rank/Branch: SSgt./U.S. Air Force
Unit: 16th Special Operations Squadron
Age: 33
Home City: Ft. Walton Beach FL
Date of Loss: 31 January 1991
Country of Loss: Kuwait
Loss Coordinates:
Status: Missing in Action
Status in 2001: KIA/Body Recovered
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: AC130H
Other Personnel in Incident: Paul J. Weaver; Dixon L. Walters; Paul G.
Buege; Barry M. Clark; Thomas C. Bland Jr; Arthur Galvan; William D. Grimm;
Timothy R. Harrison; Robert K. Hodges; Damon V. Kanuha; James B. May II;
John L. Oelschlager; Mark J. Schmauss (all missing)
Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 10 February 1991 from one or more
of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, published
sources, interviews. Update 2002 POW NETWORK.
On January 31, 1991, an AC130H was performing a support mission deep into
enemy territory when it went down over Kuwait. The crew of the aircraft
included Major Paul J. Weaver; Capt. Dixon L. Walters; Capt. Arthur Galvan;
Capt. William D. Grimm; 1Lt. Clifford Bland, Jr.; TSgt. Robert K. Hodges;
Sgt. Damon V. Kanuha; MSgt. James B. May II; SSgt. John L. Oelschlager;
SSgt. Mark J. Schmauss; SSgt. John P. Blessinger; SMSgt. Paul G. Buege; and
Sgt. Barry M. Clark. U.S. Representative Earl Hutto (D-FL) whose district
includes the home base of the 16th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt
Field, later told media sources that the gunship was on a targeting mission,
seeking out enemy targets and directing other aircraft to them.
Other aircraft heard a "mayday" distress call, but there was no indication
of what caused the aircraft to crash. Search and rescue teams were unable to
reach the aircraft's location to recover any who may have survived. The crew
of the aircraft were equipped with AN-PRC-90 hand-held survival radios, even
though a newer version, the AN-PRC-68, might enhance survival chances.
The 90, although still in wide use, uses only two well-known international
distress frequencies, increasing the possibility that allied rescuers could
be decoyed into a deadly trap by Iraqi forces using the same frequencies.
The 68 has 2,000 channels and can be modified to provide encrypted speech to
frustrate eavesdroppers. Friendly search forces can determine the direction
of signals transmitted by the newer radio.
The families were notified on the following day that the aircraft was down
and that all aboard were Missing in Action. Searches were ongoing for the
aircraft and/or survivors, families were asked not to speak to media
representatives, and little information is available about the crew or the
mission on January 30.
(On March 6, the gunship was found off the coast of Kuwait and all aboard will be listed as Killed in Action when their remains are identified.")
The Iraqis have stated that Allied prisoners of war would be used as "human
shields" to protect their important military sites from attack by Allied
forces. Amidst clearly inflated shoot-down reports issued by the Iraqis, and
reluctance by the Pentagon to release premature information, observers wait
for news of missing and captured military personnel, speculating on the
treatment they will receive as prisoners if they are captured.
(bio provided by Chuck Cummins)
PERSIAN GULF
SILVER STAR
PURPLE HEART
John Blessinger was married and had two daughters. He and his family lived in Fort
Walton Beach, Florida, where his hobby was tinkering with and fixing old
cars. The 16th Special Operations Squadron is based at Hurlburt Field,
Florida, where most of its members were stationed when they embarked for the
Middle East.
Name: John P. Blessinger
Rank/Branch: SSgt./U.S. Air Force
Unit: 16th Special Operations Squadron
Age: 33
Home City: Ft. Walton Beach FL
Date of Loss: 31 January 1991
Country of Loss: Kuwait
Loss Coordinates:
Status: Missing in Action
Status in 2001: KIA/Body Recovered
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: AC130H
Other Personnel in Incident: Paul J. Weaver; Dixon L. Walters; Paul G.
Buege; Barry M. Clark; Thomas C. Bland Jr; Arthur Galvan; William D. Grimm;
Timothy R. Harrison; Robert K. Hodges; Damon V. Kanuha; James B. May II;
John L. Oelschlager; Mark J. Schmauss (all missing)
Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 10 February 1991 from one or more
of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, published
sources, interviews. Update 2002 POW NETWORK.
On January 31, 1991, an AC130H was performing a support mission deep into
enemy territory when it went down over Kuwait. The crew of the aircraft
included Major Paul J. Weaver; Capt. Dixon L. Walters; Capt. Arthur Galvan;
Capt. William D. Grimm; 1Lt. Clifford Bland, Jr.; TSgt. Robert K. Hodges;
Sgt. Damon V. Kanuha; MSgt. James B. May II; SSgt. John L. Oelschlager;
SSgt. Mark J. Schmauss; SSgt. John P. Blessinger; SMSgt. Paul G. Buege; and
Sgt. Barry M. Clark. U.S. Representative Earl Hutto (D-FL) whose district
includes the home base of the 16th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt
Field, later told media sources that the gunship was on a targeting mission,
seeking out enemy targets and directing other aircraft to them.
Other aircraft heard a "mayday" distress call, but there was no indication
of what caused the aircraft to crash. Search and rescue teams were unable to
reach the aircraft's location to recover any who may have survived. The crew
of the aircraft were equipped with AN-PRC-90 hand-held survival radios, even
though a newer version, the AN-PRC-68, might enhance survival chances.
The 90, although still in wide use, uses only two well-known international
distress frequencies, increasing the possibility that allied rescuers could
be decoyed into a deadly trap by Iraqi forces using the same frequencies.
The 68 has 2,000 channels and can be modified to provide encrypted speech to
frustrate eavesdroppers. Friendly search forces can determine the direction
of signals transmitted by the newer radio.
The families were notified on the following day that the aircraft was down
and that all aboard were Missing in Action. Searches were ongoing for the
aircraft and/or survivors, families were asked not to speak to media
representatives, and little information is available about the crew or the
mission on January 30.
(On March 6, the gunship was found off the coast of Kuwait and all aboard will be listed as Killed in Action when their remains are identified.")
The Iraqis have stated that Allied prisoners of war would be used as "human
shields" to protect their important military sites from attack by Allied
forces. Amidst clearly inflated shoot-down reports issued by the Iraqis, and
reluctance by the Pentagon to release premature information, observers wait
for news of missing and captured military personnel, speculating on the
treatment they will receive as prisoners if they are captured.
(bio provided by Chuck Cummins)
SSGT, US AIR FORCE
PERSIAN GULF
SILVER STAR
PURPLE HEART
John Blessinger was married and had two daughters. He and his family lived in Fort
Walton Beach, Florida, where his hobby was tinkering with and fixing old
cars. The 16th Special Operations Squadron is based at Hurlburt Field,
Florida, where most of its members were stationed when they embarked for the
Middle East.
Name: John P. Blessinger
Rank/Branch: SSgt./U.S. Air Force
Unit: 16th Special Operations Squadron
Age: 33
Home City: Ft. Walton Beach FL
Date of Loss: 31 January 1991
Country of Loss: Kuwait
Loss Coordinates:
Status: Missing in Action
Status in 2001: KIA/Body Recovered
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: AC130H
Other Personnel in Incident: Paul J. Weaver; Dixon L. Walters; Paul G.
Buege; Barry M. Clark; Thomas C. Bland Jr; Arthur Galvan; William D. Grimm;
Timothy R. Harrison; Robert K. Hodges; Damon V. Kanuha; James B. May II;
John L. Oelschlager; Mark J. Schmauss (all missing)
Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 10 February 1991 from one or more
of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, published
sources, interviews. Update 2002 POW NETWORK.
On January 31, 1991, an AC130H was performing a support mission deep into
enemy territory when it went down over Kuwait. The crew of the aircraft
included Major Paul J. Weaver; Capt. Dixon L. Walters; Capt. Arthur Galvan;
Capt. William D. Grimm; 1Lt. Clifford Bland, Jr.; TSgt. Robert K. Hodges;
Sgt. Damon V. Kanuha; MSgt. James B. May II; SSgt. John L. Oelschlager;
SSgt. Mark J. Schmauss; SSgt. John P. Blessinger; SMSgt. Paul G. Buege; and
Sgt. Barry M. Clark. U.S. Representative Earl Hutto (D-FL) whose district
includes the home base of the 16th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt
Field, later told media sources that the gunship was on a targeting mission,
seeking out enemy targets and directing other aircraft to them.
Other aircraft heard a "mayday" distress call, but there was no indication
of what caused the aircraft to crash. Search and rescue teams were unable to
reach the aircraft's location to recover any who may have survived. The crew
of the aircraft were equipped with AN-PRC-90 hand-held survival radios, even
though a newer version, the AN-PRC-68, might enhance survival chances.
The 90, although still in wide use, uses only two well-known international
distress frequencies, increasing the possibility that allied rescuers could
be decoyed into a deadly trap by Iraqi forces using the same frequencies.
The 68 has 2,000 channels and can be modified to provide encrypted speech to
frustrate eavesdroppers. Friendly search forces can determine the direction
of signals transmitted by the newer radio.
The families were notified on the following day that the aircraft was down
and that all aboard were Missing in Action. Searches were ongoing for the
aircraft and/or survivors, families were asked not to speak to media
representatives, and little information is available about the crew or the
mission on January 30.
(On March 6, the gunship was found off the coast of Kuwait and all aboard will be listed as Killed in Action when their remains are identified.")
The Iraqis have stated that Allied prisoners of war would be used as "human
shields" to protect their important military sites from attack by Allied
forces. Amidst clearly inflated shoot-down reports issued by the Iraqis, and
reluctance by the Pentagon to release premature information, observers wait
for news of missing and captured military personnel, speculating on the
treatment they will receive as prisoners if they are captured.
(bio provided by Chuck Cummins)
PERSIAN GULF
SILVER STAR
PURPLE HEART
John Blessinger was married and had two daughters. He and his family lived in Fort
Walton Beach, Florida, where his hobby was tinkering with and fixing old
cars. The 16th Special Operations Squadron is based at Hurlburt Field,
Florida, where most of its members were stationed when they embarked for the
Middle East.
Name: John P. Blessinger
Rank/Branch: SSgt./U.S. Air Force
Unit: 16th Special Operations Squadron
Age: 33
Home City: Ft. Walton Beach FL
Date of Loss: 31 January 1991
Country of Loss: Kuwait
Loss Coordinates:
Status: Missing in Action
Status in 2001: KIA/Body Recovered
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: AC130H
Other Personnel in Incident: Paul J. Weaver; Dixon L. Walters; Paul G.
Buege; Barry M. Clark; Thomas C. Bland Jr; Arthur Galvan; William D. Grimm;
Timothy R. Harrison; Robert K. Hodges; Damon V. Kanuha; James B. May II;
John L. Oelschlager; Mark J. Schmauss (all missing)
Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 10 February 1991 from one or more
of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, published
sources, interviews. Update 2002 POW NETWORK.
On January 31, 1991, an AC130H was performing a support mission deep into
enemy territory when it went down over Kuwait. The crew of the aircraft
included Major Paul J. Weaver; Capt. Dixon L. Walters; Capt. Arthur Galvan;
Capt. William D. Grimm; 1Lt. Clifford Bland, Jr.; TSgt. Robert K. Hodges;
Sgt. Damon V. Kanuha; MSgt. James B. May II; SSgt. John L. Oelschlager;
SSgt. Mark J. Schmauss; SSgt. John P. Blessinger; SMSgt. Paul G. Buege; and
Sgt. Barry M. Clark. U.S. Representative Earl Hutto (D-FL) whose district
includes the home base of the 16th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt
Field, later told media sources that the gunship was on a targeting mission,
seeking out enemy targets and directing other aircraft to them.
Other aircraft heard a "mayday" distress call, but there was no indication
of what caused the aircraft to crash. Search and rescue teams were unable to
reach the aircraft's location to recover any who may have survived. The crew
of the aircraft were equipped with AN-PRC-90 hand-held survival radios, even
though a newer version, the AN-PRC-68, might enhance survival chances.
The 90, although still in wide use, uses only two well-known international
distress frequencies, increasing the possibility that allied rescuers could
be decoyed into a deadly trap by Iraqi forces using the same frequencies.
The 68 has 2,000 channels and can be modified to provide encrypted speech to
frustrate eavesdroppers. Friendly search forces can determine the direction
of signals transmitted by the newer radio.
The families were notified on the following day that the aircraft was down
and that all aboard were Missing in Action. Searches were ongoing for the
aircraft and/or survivors, families were asked not to speak to media
representatives, and little information is available about the crew or the
mission on January 30.
(On March 6, the gunship was found off the coast of Kuwait and all aboard will be listed as Killed in Action when their remains are identified.")
The Iraqis have stated that Allied prisoners of war would be used as "human
shields" to protect their important military sites from attack by Allied
forces. Amidst clearly inflated shoot-down reports issued by the Iraqis, and
reluctance by the Pentagon to release premature information, observers wait
for news of missing and captured military personnel, speculating on the
treatment they will receive as prisoners if they are captured.
(bio provided by Chuck Cummins)
