Seaman James L Blaskis, USN (1945-1967)

Seaman James L Blaskis, USN, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal (posthumously) for heroism on July 29, 1967, while serving aboard USS Forrestal (CVA 59) in the Gulf of Tonkin. Seaman Blaskis was manning the port steering area in the extreme port quarter of the ship when fire broke out on the flight deck causing several explosions. One of the initial explosions hurled shrapnel in to the port compartment, killing one man and seriously wounding Seaman Blaskis and his other shipmate. Despite his wounds, he administered first aid to his companion until he succumbed to his own wounds.

Boiler Technician Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew T. Gallagher, USN

On Nov. 22, 1975, while conducting night flight operations east of Sicily, the USS Belknap (CG 26) and the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) collided, Belknap sustaining major damage and a fire which raged for more than 2 hours before coming under control. At the time of the collision, BT2 Gallagher and the members of his watch team, despite heavy smoke and flames in the fire room, remained behind with disregard for their own personal safety, to secure the fuel oil closing valve, the fuel oil service pump and other machinery. The result of this action was to decisively prevent ship’s fuel oil from feeding the raging fire which had started in the mid-ships section of the ship coincident with the collision. After ensuring that the supply of fuel to his fire room was secured, he notified main control of the necessity to evacuate the fire room and his intention to do so. He then directed each member of his watch section to safety, being himself the last to leave the severely burning area. He further led his men through flames on the main deck area to safety on the forecastle. As a result, Petty Officer Gallagher sustained first and second degree burns over approximately 75 percent of his body, and smoke inhalation. As a result of his actions, significant additional damage to the burning ship and numerous additional casualties were prevented, and the lives of his watch team were saved. Petty Officer Gallagher was awarded the Legion of Merit.

Chief Boatswain’s Mate Donald B. Groce, USN

Chief Boatswain’s Mate Donald B. Groce was serving as an advisor to Vietnamese Navy “Zippo” Boat (HG 6533) [when], on Sept. 4, 1970, they were ambushed by enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam. During the initial moments of the ambush, enemy rockets, recoilless rifle and automatic weapons fire inflicted heavy casualties upon crew members of the “Zippo” boat. The first rocket round wounded Chief Petty Officer Groce in the arms and legs and knocked him out of the coxswain’s flat and into the main deck gunwale. Despite wounds [he] made his way back to battle station and resumed duty advising and assisting the Vietnamese Boat Captain in the counterattack. He was hit again by shrapnel from another enemy rocket, causing a deep hip wound. Despite this he crawled forward on the open deck to the flame mounts which were not firing. Exposed to the full force of the enemy fire, he calmly aligned the flame system and shouted encouragement to the other crew members. He personally operated one flame mount and supervised the employment of the flame throwers against the enemy’s positions until enemy fire was suppressed. He received the Navy Cross Medal, five Purple Hearts, and three Bronze Stars with V devices.