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| Pfc. Troy Blackburn served in the 7th Infantry Division in Leyte. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/86906996/troy-dean-blackburn https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7th_Infantry_Division_(United_States)#Marshall_Islands |
Troy D. Blackburn never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on August 15, 1918 in Texas. His parents William and Beulah were also both born in Texas. His father worked as a farmer. Troy had two older brothers, one older sister, and one younger brother. By 1940 Troy had completed two years of high school and was working on the family farm.
He was drafted into the army on February 26, 1942. He became a private first class in Company K, 3rd Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. The 7th ID participated in many Pacific Theater campaigns, including the Aleutian Islands, Kwajalein, and Eniwetok.
Pfc. Blackburn's unit next engaged the enemy after invading Leyte on October 20, 1944. The 7th ID kept the enemy in retreat for six weeks. Pfc. Blackburn was killed in action on December 6, 1944. Although the campaigned was deemed over by the end of December, pockets of enemy resistance continued for another two months.
His grave is at Smyrna Cemetery in Harleton, Texas.
Last year on this date I profiled Harvard grad Charles Ruch, 6th Marine Division. You can read about Charles here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
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