An Airman's Story: Staff Sergeant John Perry Blessinger


Staff Sergeant John Perry Blessinger was born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 15, 1958. He attended Sachem High School, graduating in 1976. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1979.

He was a lover of cars and trained as a helicopter mechanic before pursuing a position within the special forces units of the Air Force.  Staff Sergeant John Perry Blessinger was assigned to the 16th Special Operations Squadron as an infrared sensor operator on an AC-130H. 

Staff Sergeant John Perry Blessinger lost his life in January 1991. His plane, "Spirit 03," was flying a reconnaissance mission near the Iraq/Saudi Arabia border when the plane engaged with a missle site to protect ground troops from missle fire. Unfortunately, the plane was struck by a surface-to-air missle and crashed into the Persian Gulf.  Initially thought lost, the aircraft was located on March 6. 1991, and his appropriated remains rest at the Barracas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. 


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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to the travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

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Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA

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