Excerpt from obituary published in the Pensacola News Journal on Monday, September 29, 2004:
Harry Blake of Pensacola, Florida, died peacefully at the Navy Hospital, Thursday, September 16, 2004 as a result of his long battle with Parkinsons Disease.
Born in Reno, Nevada, he was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Madelon, and his son, John Robert.
CDR Blake began his Naval career by volunteering for immediate induction on January 14, 1943. While serving with amphibious forces, he participated in the invasions of Normandy, Southern France and Okinawa. Following WWII he attended San Jose State College. Upon graduation he entered flight training at Pensacola, Florida where he met Ethel Glenna Wheat, who he married in 1951.
He participated in two Korean Winter Campaigns on USS Oriskany flying the F9F-5 Panther. Instructor duty with ATU-206 at Sherman Field, Pensacola. After attending line school and CIC School he had shipboard duty on USS Midway and staff duty with Commander Carrier Division 7. In 1962 he reported to VF-124 for F8 transition and was then ordered to VF-194, making a cruise to WestPac aboard the USS Ranger. A two year tour as an instructor with VF-124 until he joined VF-53 on board USS Bon Homme Richard where he served two tours on the Tonkin Gulf off Vietnam flying the F8 Crusador, from 1967-1969 first as Executive Officer and then as Commanding Officer.
Subsequent tours of duty were served at the Pentagon with the Defense Intelligence Agency, Operations Officer of NAS Treasure Island, San Francisco and administration officer at NAS Moffit Field, California. He retired in 1978 after 31 years in the Navy with many citations and awards for his outstanding and courageous service including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with Combat "V", Air Medal (12 stars), Joint Service Commendation Medal and Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V".
Harry Blake is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ethel, three daughters, five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 02, 2004 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Reverend Don Fanning officiating. Interment will follow at St. John's Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Friday, October 1, 2004.
Oak Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Excerpt from obituary published in the Pensacola News Journal on Monday, September 29, 2004:
Harry Blake of Pensacola, Florida, died peacefully at the Navy Hospital, Thursday, September 16, 2004 as a result of his long battle with Parkinsons Disease.
Born in Reno, Nevada, he was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Madelon, and his son, John Robert.
CDR Blake began his Naval career by volunteering for immediate induction on January 14, 1943. While serving with amphibious forces, he participated in the invasions of Normandy, Southern France and Okinawa. Following WWII he attended San Jose State College. Upon graduation he entered flight training at Pensacola, Florida where he met Ethel Glenna Wheat, who he married in 1951.
He participated in two Korean Winter Campaigns on USS Oriskany flying the F9F-5 Panther. Instructor duty with ATU-206 at Sherman Field, Pensacola. After attending line school and CIC School he had shipboard duty on USS Midway and staff duty with Commander Carrier Division 7. In 1962 he reported to VF-124 for F8 transition and was then ordered to VF-194, making a cruise to WestPac aboard the USS Ranger. A two year tour as an instructor with VF-124 until he joined VF-53 on board USS Bon Homme Richard where he served two tours on the Tonkin Gulf off Vietnam flying the F8 Crusador, from 1967-1969 first as Executive Officer and then as Commanding Officer.
Subsequent tours of duty were served at the Pentagon with the Defense Intelligence Agency, Operations Officer of NAS Treasure Island, San Francisco and administration officer at NAS Moffit Field, California. He retired in 1978 after 31 years in the Navy with many citations and awards for his outstanding and courageous service including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with Combat "V", Air Medal (12 stars), Joint Service Commendation Medal and Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V".
Harry Blake is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ethel, three daughters, five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 02, 2004 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Reverend Don Fanning officiating. Interment will follow at St. John's Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Friday, October 1, 2004.
Oak Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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CDR, USN
Normandy, Korean
Vietnam, Okinawa
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