LTJG WARREN J. BLANKE, JR., USN

Class 1960

Born August 27, 1938

Died February 7, 1963

Age 24

Hometown Cleveland, Ohio

Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1960 Lucky Bag:

WARREN JENNINGS BLANKE, JR.

Jay, as he is called by all, came to the Naval Academy after finishing high school at Culver Military Academy. He has fitted easily into the life here with a minimum of trouble in academics. During the winter, Jay was hard at work for the swimming team, winning three varsity letters and the honor of being elected team captain first class year. The activities of the French Club, WRNV, and the Log and Splinter rounded out his extracurricular life. Jay had two loves here at the convent, and he was constantly dividing his time between them. Consequently, on weekends, if he weren’t dragging, he was sure to be in the pad. Jay had a rich sense of humor and provided the gang here with many good times.

Shipmate

From USNA ‘60 Memorial Site¹:

Jay was killed on the afternoon of 7 February when his A-4C crashed into the Mediterranean Sea, while operating off USS Forrestal (CV 59). His death was confirmed when his remains were found at the scene of the crash. Jay is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Warren J. Blanke, and his sister, Gail, of Lakewood, Ohio. We wish that we could express the great sorrow that we all feel whenever one of our own passes away — Jay, as all the others, will be missed very much. Shipmate, March 1963

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

At Culver Military Academy, he was in Company C. Three years of service. Varsity Athletics: Football (Letters III, II, I); Swimming (Letters III, II, Co-Capt. I): Tennis (Letter II). Honor Guard (I); Cadet Club (I); Cordon (IV, III, II), Pres. (I); Drama Club (II, Publicity Manager I); Varsity Club (II, Bd of Governors I); President, I Class; Chairman, Board of Governors, Beason Hall (I). Private (III); Sergeant (II); First Lieutenant & Regimental Adj. (I).

His sister Gail went to his school’s homecoming dance in 1956 and was photographed dancing with Cadet Jim Dunlap.

In June 1956, Warren was 12th in the nation in competitive examinations winning both appointments to the Naval Academy and West Point.

In July 1958, Warren completed two weeks of amphibious training at the Little Creek Amphibious Naval Base in Norfolk. In September, he completed three weeks of air indoctrination at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola.

In December 1959, Warren participated in the Naval Academy’s “Operation Information.” He addressed students at Lakewood High School in Cleveland and was to do radio and a television appearance.

Jay has a memory marker in Arlington National Cemetery.