Vicente T. Blaz
This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2023) |
Ben Blaz | |
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Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from Guam's at-large district | |
In office January 3, 1985 – January 3, 1993 | |
Preceded by | Antonio Won Pat |
Succeeded by | Robert A. Underwood |
Personal details | |
Born | Vicente Tomás Garrido Blaz February 14, 1928 United States of America |
Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1951–1980 |
Rank | Brigadier General |
Commands | 9th Marine Regiment |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | Legion of Merit Bronze Star |
Vicente Tomás Garrido Blaz (February 14, 1928 – January 8, 2014), also known as Ben Blaz, was a Chamorro United States Marine Corps Brigadier General from the United States territory of Guam. Blaz served in the Marine Corps from 1951 until July 1, 1980. Prior to his retirement, he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.[1]
Blaz was elected the
Early life
Vicente Tomás Garrido Blaz was born on February 14, 1928, in
In 1947, he was awarded a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame.[3]
Marine Corps career
At the beginning of the
Service schools Blaz attended include the Navy's School of Naval Justice for legal officers,
General Blaz served in a variety of command and staff billets throughout the Marine Corps, highlighted in 1972 by his assignment as Commanding Officer,
From September 1972 to August 1975, General Blaz served as Chief, United Nations and Maritime Matters Branch, International Negotiations Division, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C. In this assignment, he represented the Joint Chiefs of Staff on U.S. Delegations to several international multi-lateral negotiations in Helsinki (Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe) and Geneva (Law of War) and was an action officer on Law of the Sea matters.
In December 1974, the
Blaz retired from the Marine Corps with the rank of
Delegate, U.S. Congress
He ran for Congress in 1982 and came up short against political legend Antonio Borja Won Pat. Under the slogan "Right Man, Right Now," Blaz defeated Won Pat in a rematch in 1984.[5] He went to Congress as a Republican freshman and he was elected President of his class. He joined the Armed Services, Resources and Foreign Affairs Committees where he quickly established a reputation for a strong national defense and a strong commitment to the political development of Guam and the surrounding region. He established strong relationships and demonstrated a rhetorical style that resonated for years.
In hearings on the status of Micronesia, he admonished the Bush administration representatives that "we are guardians, not guards of Micronesia." In response to a New York Times editorial supporting statehood for the District of Columbia, Blaz took the opportunity to explain Guam's situation. He ended his plea for dignity and recognition for Guam by stating "We are equal in war, but not in peace."
These words have been used by subsequent Delegates from Guam as well as the other territories whenever matters of political development are raised. In spite of misgivings and his effort to point out the realities of Washington politics, Blaz faithfully introduced the Guam Commonwealth bill twice and advanced the cause of the return of excess lands and war reparations. His successors built upon these efforts.
Blaz was the second Chamorro to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served on the Armed Services, the Interior and Insular Affairs Committees, and the Select Committee on Aging. During his first term, in the 99th United States Congress, he introduced legislation — the Veterans' Educational Assistance Act — to expand eligibility under the G.I. Bill.
Death
Blaz died on January 8, 2014, in Fairfax, Virginia, of acute respiratory failure, he was 85.[6][7] He was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Awards and honors
Blaz's military awards include:
Legion of Merit | valor device
|
award star
|
Combat Action Ribbon | Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
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Navy Presidential Unit Citation | National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star | Korean Service Medal | Vietnam Service Medal w/ 3 service stars | |
Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ gold star
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Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit citation
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United Nations Korea Medal
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Vietnam Campaign Medal |
In 1988, Blaz was honored by his alma mater, when the Notre Dame Alumni Association presented him with the Corby Award, which honors alumni who have distinguished themselves in military service.[8]
Blaz is the namesake of
See also
Notes
- ^ Congresswoman Bordallo Mourns the Passing of Brig. General Blaz
- ^ Babauta, Leo (October 14, 2019). "Sumay". Guampedia. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ Schudel, Matt (23 January 2014). "Vicente T. 'Ben' Blaz, Marine general and Guam delegate, dies at 85". The Washington Post. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ^ Jesse Leon Guerrero (25 February 2010). "Marine band to perform at Asan Park". Guam Pacific Daily News. Gannett. Joint Region Edge Staff. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
- ISBN 9781576072905. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
- OCLC 1330888409.
- ^ VIDEO: Former Congressman Ben Blaz Has Died
- ^ "Corby Award". Alumni Association, University of Notre Dame. Archived from the original on 2006-08-23. Retrieved 2006-07-07.
- ^ Robson, Seth (September 30, 2020). "Marines activate Camp Blaz on Guam, the Corps' first new base since 1952". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- ^ Athey, Philip (October 1, 2020). "Marine Corps activates first new base in nearly 70 years". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
External links
- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- Brigadier General Vincente T. Blaz, USMC (Retired), Who's Who in Marine Corps History, History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved on 2007-09-06.[failed verification]
- "Vicente Tomás (Ben) Blaz Bio". Bisita Guam. Retrieved 2006-07-07.
- "Ben Blaz Garrido". Hispanic Americans in Congress. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2006-07-07.
- Ben Garrido Blaz, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2010-10-13.
- Appearances on C-SPAN