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Last Address FRANCES JOSEPH BLOUIN Vice Admiral, United States Navy DATE OF BIRTH: 07/23/1910 DATE OF DEATH: 01/24/1993 BURIED AT: SECTION 1 SITE 200-A ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
Date of Passing Jan 24, 1993
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Francis Joseph Blouin
Vice Admiral, United States Navy
Retired Vice Admiral Francis Joseph Blouin, 82, who served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations and Secretary of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, died of cardiac arrest January 24, 1993 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
A longtime District resident, Admiral Blouin was a native of Northbridge, Massachusetts, and attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute before his appointment to the United States Naval Academy in 1929.
Commissioned in 1933, he served on and commanded several ships during WWII and earned a Silver Star.
After the war he commanded the Pacific Fleet Amphibious Force, which doubled in size during his tenure. The admiral's sea duty spanned World War WII, the Korean War, the Lebanon crisis in the late 1950s and the Vietnam War.
He also worked in the Office of USN Communications, serving as staff communicator for the historic meeting at sea between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in August 1941.
Shortly after his selection as Rear Admiral in 1959, he became Secretary of the Joint Chiefs. He also served in a variety of other positions. He retired from active duty in 1971.
Admiral Blouin was a member of the Chevy Chase Club's board of governors and was an active member of the Church of the Annunciation in the District.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rosalie; a daughter, a son, 2 brothers, and 2 sisters.
A memorial service will be held at the Fort Myer Chapel on February 2 at 1:45 pm, with burial following in Arlington National Cemetery.
Other Comments:
Awards included the:
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (2), Silver Star, Legion of Merit with "V" and Bronze Star with "V"
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" to Commander Francis Joseph Blouin (NSN: 0-72447), United States Navy, for meritorious service in connection with operations against the enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the United States Destroyer U.S.S. STERETT (DD-407), from February 1944 to January 1945. During this period his ship played an important part in the capture and occupation of Guam, Saipan, and Tinian, in the Marianas, and was a unit of Task Force FIFTY-EIGHT in the first air strikes on the Bonin Islands, Palau, Yap, and Ulithi. The remainder of this period was spent in escorting the re-supply echelons in Mindoro in support of the Philippine Campaign, during which it underwent many air attacks and shot down eight enemy planes. The great courage and skill displayed by Commander Blouin were an inspiration to the men in his command. His conduct and devotion to duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Blouin is authorized to wear the Combat "V".)