Eugene Blair

Eugene Blair, born in Tremont, Virginia, on 26 April 1908, enlisted in the United States Navy at Richmond, Virginia, on 23 November 1929.

Navy career

After instruction at the Naval Training Station, Hampton Roads, Virginia, "Blair" served in four ships during his first two-year enlistment--the destroyer tenders USS Dobbin (AD-3) and USS Whitney (AD-4), and the destroyers USS Preston (DD-327) and USS Leary (DD-158), before being transferred to the new destroyer USS McDougal (DD-358) two days before Christmas of 1936. Transferring to the transport USS Chaumont (AP-5) on 4 November 1939, "Blair" was discharged at the Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia, on 8 December of the same year.

"Blair" reenlisted on 3 January 1940 at Boston, Massachusetts, and, following service at the New York receiving station, joined USS William B. Preston (AVP-20) on 14 June 1940 when that small seaplane tender was recommissioned. He remained with that warship through her transfer to the Asiatic Fleet that December and was still serving in her when war engulfed the Far East in December 1941. William B. Preston tended the PBY Catalina flying boats of Patrol Wing (PatWing) 10 in Philippine waters when the fighting began and continued this duty in the Netherlands East Indies before retiring to Port Darwin, Australia, in mid-February 1942.

Awarded Silver Star

Planes from four of the six Japanese carriers that had attacked Pearl Harbor struck Darwin, Australia, on 19 February 1942. Early in the raid, William B. Preston got underway and headed for the open sea. As the attack had developed rapidly, "Chief Machinist’s Mate Blair", a member of the after repair party, went below in company with Metalsmith 2d Class LeRay Wilson, to close hatches and watertight doors. Just after they finished that task, a bomb struck the ship in the compartment in which they were standing, killing both instantly. Their efficient performance of duty, however, limited the flooding suffered by the warship to two compartments. Each man received a Silver Star posthumously.

Namesake

USS Blair (DE-147) was named in his honor. The ship was laid down on 19 January 1943 at Orange, Texas, by the Consolidated Steel Corp.; launched on 6 April 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Vestie Foster, the mother of three sons in the United States Navy; and commissioned at Orange, Lt. Alden J. Laborde, USNR, in command.

ee also

References

:DANFS
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b6/blair-i.htm Blair]