Thomas Edward Blubaugh

Thomas Edward Blubaugh was raised in Marion County and educated in the Knoxville School District in the class of 1963. Blubaugh enlisted in the Marine Corps during the spring semester of his senior year in high school. He completed his training at Camp Pendleton, CA and achieved the rank of Lance Corporal. Serving as an anti-tank assualtman, LCPL Blubaugh deployed to Southeast Asia in May 1965 with the 3rd Marine Division. Two months into his overseas deployment he died in an accident. While servicing a firearm, Blubaugh was fatally wounded from an accidental discharge at the Danang Marine Base. He was 19 years old at the time of his death. His remains were returned to Iowa and buried at the Greenwood Cemetery in Knoxville.