J. P. Blecksmith
Encyclopedia
James Patrick Blecksmith (September 26, 1980 – November 11, 2004) was an American military officer who was the first officer killed in Operation Phantom Fury
during Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
, September 26, 1980. He attended Valentine School, in San Marino
, through 2nd grade, before his family moved to Seattle, Washington
in 1989. After two years, the family returned to Southern California and Blecksmith enrolled at the Flintridge Preparatory School
where he graduated in 1999. He lettered four years in track, two years in soccer and three years in football. He was named to three national All-American teams and was first-team all San Gabriel Valley. In track, he medaled, at the California Interscholastic Federation
finals, in nine events and was all-(CIF) in his sophomore, junior and senior years, and was the Prep League Most Valuable Athlete in 1999. He served as 10th grade class president and was a member of the National Honor Society
. Upon graduation from high school, Blecksmith entered the United States Naval Academy
in June, 1999. Blecksmith's father, Edward, had served in the Marines in Vietnam.
, he completed 3 of his 4 passes, returned 2 kickoffs and caught a pass as a wide receiver
during the Army–Navy Game in 2001.
. He completed The Basic School (TBS) and the Infantry Officer’s Course at Quantico, Virginia
. In April, 2004 he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion
, 5th Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division and commanded the 3rd Platoon of India Company. The Battalion was deployed to Iraq on September 10, 2004.
in Fallujah ambushed a convoy containing four American private military contractors from Blackwater USA
, who were conducting delivery for food caterers ESS
.
The contractors were dragged from their cars, beaten, and set on fire. Their burned corpses were then dragged through the streets before being hung over a bridge
crossing the Euphrates
. Photographs of the event were released to news agencies
worldwide, causing outrage in the United States, and prompting the announcement of a campaign to reestablish American control over the city.
This led to an unsuccessful US operation to recapture control of the city in Operation Vigilant Resolve
, and then a successful recapture operation in the city in November 2004, called Operation Phantom Fury
in English and Operation Al Fajr in Arabic. Blecksmith's India Company was the first to enter the city and start the house-to-house search operation in the Jolan District. On November 11 Blecksmith died from small arms fire while leading the third platoon in the clearing of these buildings. The bullet entered his left shoulder and was deflected down to his heart. Operation Phantom Fury resulted in the reputed death of over 1,350 insurgent fighters. Approximately 95 American
Marines were killed, and over 1,000 wounded.
and the Bronze Star
for his courage and bravery.
In an episode of NCIS
, actor Mark Harmon
wears a J.P. Blecksmith memorial t-shirt in the episode "In The Dark."
Also, in the September 29, 2009 episode of NCIS "Reunion", Mark Harmon (Gibbs) wears a J.P. Blecksmith memorial t-shirt in an early scene.
In June 2006 Shane Fox and Leslie Mar were awarded the J.P. Blecksmith Award, Recognizing Outstanding Citizenship and Patriotism at Valentine School.
In June 2011 Madeline Hotaling and Omkar Rao were awarded the J.P. Blecksmith Award.
Operation Phantom Fury
The Second Battle of Fallujah was a joint U.S., Iraqi, and British offensive in November and December 2004, considered the highest point of conflict in Fallujah during the Iraq War. It was led by the U.S...
during Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
Biography
Blecksmith was born in Pasadena, CaliforniaPasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, September 26, 1980. He attended Valentine School, in San Marino
San Marino, California
San Marino is a small, affluent city in Los Angeles County, California. Incorporated in 1913, the City founders designed the community to be uniquely residential, with expansive properties surrounded by beautiful gardens, wide streets, and well maintained parkways...
, through 2nd grade, before his family moved to Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
in 1989. After two years, the family returned to Southern California and Blecksmith enrolled at the Flintridge Preparatory School
Flintridge Preparatory School
Flintridge Preparatory School, familiarly known as Flintridge Prep or simply Prep, is a day school for grades 7-12. Founded in 1933, it is located in La Cañada Flintridge, California.-Facilities:...
where he graduated in 1999. He lettered four years in track, two years in soccer and three years in football. He was named to three national All-American teams and was first-team all San Gabriel Valley. In track, he medaled, at the California Interscholastic Federation
California Interscholastic Federation
The California Interscholastic Federation is the governing body for high school sports in the state of California. It mirrors similar governing bodies in other states; however, it differs from some of the others in that it covers most high schools in the state of California, both public and...
finals, in nine events and was all-(CIF) in his sophomore, junior and senior years, and was the Prep League Most Valuable Athlete in 1999. He served as 10th grade class president and was a member of the National Honor Society
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
. Upon graduation from high school, Blecksmith entered the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in June, 1999. Blecksmith's father, Edward, had served in the Marines in Vietnam.
United States Naval Academy
Although heavily recruited, Blecksmith saw limited action on the field for the Naval Academy. He matched the prototype of the 21st century quarterback, 6-3, 216 with a rocket arm; but Navy ran a triple option offense, where the quarterback was more of a runner than a passer. As a back-up quarterbackQuarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
, he completed 3 of his 4 passes, returned 2 kickoffs and caught a pass as a wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
during the Army–Navy Game in 2001.
Military career
After graduating from the Naval Academy in May, 2003, Blecksmith accepted a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. He completed The Basic School (TBS) and the Infantry Officer’s Course at Quantico, Virginia
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico, sometimes abbreviated MCB Quantico, is a major United States Marine Corps training base located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly in southern Prince William County, northern Stafford County, and southeastern Fauquier County...
. In April, 2004 he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion
3rd Battalion 5th Marines
3rd Battalion 5th Marines is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps. The battalion, nicknamed "Dark Horse", is based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and consists of approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors...
, 5th Marine Regiment of the 1st Marine Division and commanded the 3rd Platoon of India Company. The Battalion was deployed to Iraq on September 10, 2004.
Death
On March 31, 2004, Iraqi insurgentsIraqi insurgency
The Iraqi Resistance is composed of a diverse mix of militias, foreign fighters, all-Iraqi units or mixtures opposing the United States-led multinational force in Iraq and the post-2003 Iraqi government...
in Fallujah ambushed a convoy containing four American private military contractors from Blackwater USA
Blackwater USA
Xe Services LLC, better known by its former names, Blackwater USA and Blackwater Worldwide, is a private military company founded in 1997 by Erik Prince and Al Clark.. Xe is currently the largest of the U.S. State Department's three private security contractors...
, who were conducting delivery for food caterers ESS
Eurest Support Services
Eurest Support Services is a subsidiary of the catering company, Compass Group PLC specializing in harsh-environment large-scale food service and facilities management...
.
The contractors were dragged from their cars, beaten, and set on fire. Their burned corpses were then dragged through the streets before being hung over a bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
crossing the Euphrates
Euphrates
The Euphrates is the longest and one of the most historically important rivers of Western Asia. Together with the Tigris, it is one of the two defining rivers of Mesopotamia...
. Photographs of the event were released to news agencies
News agency
A news agency is an organization of journalists established to supply news reports to news organizations: newspapers, magazines, and radio and television broadcasters. Such an agency may also be referred to as a wire service, newswire or news service.-History:The oldest news agency is Agence...
worldwide, causing outrage in the United States, and prompting the announcement of a campaign to reestablish American control over the city.
This led to an unsuccessful US operation to recapture control of the city in Operation Vigilant Resolve
Operation Vigilant Resolve
As part of the occupation of Iraq, the First Battle of Fallujah, codenamed Operation Vigilant Resolve, was an unsuccessful attempt by the United States Military to capture the city of Fallujah in April 2004....
, and then a successful recapture operation in the city in November 2004, called Operation Phantom Fury
Operation Phantom Fury
The Second Battle of Fallujah was a joint U.S., Iraqi, and British offensive in November and December 2004, considered the highest point of conflict in Fallujah during the Iraq War. It was led by the U.S...
in English and Operation Al Fajr in Arabic. Blecksmith's India Company was the first to enter the city and start the house-to-house search operation in the Jolan District. On November 11 Blecksmith died from small arms fire while leading the third platoon in the clearing of these buildings. The bullet entered his left shoulder and was deflected down to his heart. Operation Phantom Fury resulted in the reputed death of over 1,350 insurgent fighters. Approximately 95 American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Marines were killed, and over 1,000 wounded.
Legacy
On Veterans Day, November 11, 2006, two years to the day after Blecksmith's family heard he'd been killed in action in Iraq, the Marines renamed Pasadena's Marine Corps Reserve Center in his memory. The San Marino Tribune announced that proceeds from their annual 5K Run & Walk, scheduled for Monday, July 4, will benefit the J.P. Blecksmith Leadership Foundation at Flintridge Preparatory School in La Cañada. On April 20, 2005 James Patrick Blecksmith was awarded the Purple HeartPurple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
and the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
for his courage and bravery.
In an episode of NCIS
NCIS (TV series)
NCIS, formerly known as NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, is an American police procedural drama television series revolving around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which conducts criminal investigations involving the U.S...
, actor Mark Harmon
Mark Harmon
Mark Harmon is an American actor who has been starring in American television programs and films since the mid-1970s, after a career as a collegiate football player with the UCLA Bruins. Since 2003, Harmon has starred as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the CBS series NCIS.-Early life:Harmon was born Thomas...
wears a J.P. Blecksmith memorial t-shirt in the episode "In The Dark."
Also, in the September 29, 2009 episode of NCIS "Reunion", Mark Harmon (Gibbs) wears a J.P. Blecksmith memorial t-shirt in an early scene.
In June 2006 Shane Fox and Leslie Mar were awarded the J.P. Blecksmith Award, Recognizing Outstanding Citizenship and Patriotism at Valentine School.
In June 2011 Madeline Hotaling and Omkar Rao were awarded the J.P. Blecksmith Award.