WILLIAM D. BLANTON, JR., LT, USN
William Blanton, Jr. '72
Lucky Bag
From the 1972 Lucky Bag:
WILLIAM DUNN BLANTON
Wallingford, Pennsylvania
Blantz has developed a style of life rarely encountered today and certainly not at USNA. He started out his Navy career in this typical manner by skipping out of the high school awards presentation which was specifically designed to honor his acceptance by Canoe U. After his arrival from Wallingford, Pa., cannons were never safe and even signs soon began appearing in the company area as our cross country runner tested his night vision. His running we all feel was developed as a result of his choice of flashy shorts. Sheer delight further developed his running ability as he assisted the underclass in PEP early in the morning. Lover Boy's life was never dull, and he managed to arrive in D. C. in the most original manner, always returning our same old happy Bill though. A flash flood which caught Bill fumbling with his rain gear by the mate's desk almost washed him away, but he survived, shaken but unscathed. Complementing his desire to enjoy life, Bill was one of the most helpful and considerate individuals. Never known to deny a friend who needed help. Bill spent many a night typing away for someone or driving them around or any of a number generous acts. His human warmth and dedication will be appreciated by the Navy and those associated with him after he pins on his Naval Aviation wings.
WILLIAM DUNN BLANTON
Wallingford, Pennsylvania
Blantz has developed a style of life rarely encountered today and certainly not at USNA. He started out his Navy career in this typical manner by skipping out of the high school awards presentation which was specifically designed to honor his acceptance by Canoe U. After his arrival from Wallingford, Pa., cannons were never safe and even signs soon began appearing in the company area as our cross country runner tested his night vision. His running we all feel was developed as a result of his choice of flashy shorts. Sheer delight further developed his running ability as he assisted the underclass in PEP early in the morning. Lover Boy's life was never dull, and he managed to arrive in D. C. in the most original manner, always returning our same old happy Bill though. A flash flood which caught Bill fumbling with his rain gear by the mate's desk almost washed him away, but he survived, shaken but unscathed. Complementing his desire to enjoy life, Bill was one of the most helpful and considerate individuals. Never known to deny a friend who needed help. Bill spent many a night typing away for someone or driving them around or any of a number generous acts. His human warmth and dedication will be appreciated by the Navy and those associated with him after he pins on his Naval Aviation wings.
Loss
William was lost on November 2, 1978 when the S-3A Viking aircraft he was aboard crashed near Cubi Point Naval Air Station, Philippines shortly after takeoff. The other three men aboard were also killed; they were members of Air Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 37 on deployment with USS Constellation (CV 64).
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
In June 1968, William’s appointment to the Naval Academy was announced by the Secretary of the Navy and was obtained through U.S. Senator Hugh Scott (R-Pa).
William received his naval aviator wings at Corpus Christi and was serving with the VS 37 Squadron in California when he married Eileen Patricia Brennan September 25, 1976. His brother Daniel was best man.
William’s father, born in 1922, enlisted in the Army on 11/5/1942 for the duration of WWII. He died in 1990 and was buried in Lawn Croft Cemetery, Linwood, Pennsylvania.
From Find A Grave:
Lt. Blanton was born in the Garden City section of Nether Providence, and attended Nether Providence High School. Following graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1972, he was assigned to the destroyer USS Turner Joy and served off the coast of Vietnam.
Lt. Blanton attended flight school and received his pilot's wings in Corpus Christi, Texas. For the next three years, he was stationed in San Diego. He left September 27, 1978 aboard the USS Constellation for a Pacific cruise. Lt. Blanton was flying a night training mission when his aircraft crashed into a mountain.
Photographs
Related Articles
Randy Mikal '74 was also lost in this crash.
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