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 USS Blessman (APD-48)
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Namesake
Edward Martin Blessman was born on 29 December 1907 in Nott, North Dakota. He grew up in his home town of Appleton, Wisconsin. Eddie was appointed midshipman from the 9th District of Wisconsin on 21 June 1927 and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy on 4 June 1931. Service at sea in Maryland (BB-46) and Hale (DD-133) preceded flight training at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla., after which he served in VS-2B in Lexington (CV-2) and VP-17F, based on Thrush (AVP-3). Following a two-year tour at the NAS Anacostia, Blessman was promoted to lieutenant in January 1939. His next assignment was to the USS Marblehead (CL-12) as she joined the U.S. Asiatic Fleet on 10 December 1939. He was still serving with her when Japan launched its onslaught in the Far East in December 1941.
On 4 February 1942, Marblehead stood out of Surabaya, Java, as part of a mixed American-Dutch cruiser-destroyer force under Rear Admiral Karel W. F. M. Doorman, RNN. Japanese Kawanishi H6K5 “Mavis” flying boats from the Toko Kokutai, however, spotted the Allied force as it attempted to transit the Madoera Strait to attack the Japanese Borneo invasion fleet. Thus forewarned, Japanese naval land attack planes bombed the allied force. At 1027, a stick of seven bombs from a Mitsubishi G4M1 “Betty” Bomber straddled Marblehead. The first of the two bombs to hit the ship penetrated the main deck and exploded near “wardroom country,” the blast ripping through the light sheet metal bulkheads that comprised the boundaries of the compartment. Blessman, who, as the ship’s senior aviator had no air defense station and was in the wardroom at the time, was killed instantly by the concussion. Lieutenant Blessman was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. His wife Mrs. Helen Malloy Blessman accepted the award on his behalf from a grateful nation.
Photo from the "USNA Yearbook Lucky Bag – Class of 1931".
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Bill Gonyo |
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140k |
USS Blessman (APD-48) at Mare Island, 7 August 1945. She was undergoing repairs at the yard from 23 April until 11 August 1945. USS Owen (DD-536) is just visible in the background.
Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 5826-45. |
Darryl Baker |
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Forward plan view of USS Blessman (APD-48) at Mare Island, 7 August 1945. USS Owen (DD-536) is seen to the right and the dredge Endicot (YM-12) is aft of Blessman.
Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 5827-45. |
Darryl Baker |
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USS Blessman (APD-48) under way, August 1945, location unknown.
US Navy photo |
Nick Tiberio |
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USS Blessman (APD-48) under way, circa 1944-1945, location unknown.
US Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo # NH 91127. |
Mike Green |
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USS Blessman (APD-48) under way, 4 August 1945, off Mare Island Navy Yard. Note that her quarter deck crane has been removed, and additional 40mm guns fitted in its place. Photo courtesy of Arthur D. Baker III, 1981.
US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 91839. |
Robert Hurst |
 ROCS Chung Shan (PF-843)
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Ex-USS Blessman (APD-48) in Republic of China service as Chung Shan (PF-843) at anchor, 16 August 1977, location unknown. |
Perry Huang |
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ROCS Chung Shan (PF-843) moored at Keelung Harbor in 1994. |
Perry Huang |
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ROCS Chung Shan (PF-843) under way, in 1995, location unknown. |
Perry Huang |
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ROCS Chung Shan (PF-843) ship's flag. |
Perry Huang |
