Faculty Explorations Lecture Series: Remembering the Forgotten: The Story of Michael Blassie and America’s Collective Memory

In this presentation, Ms. English explores the remarkable true story of Air Force pilot Michael Blassie, once entombed as the Vietnam Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. What began as a personal curiosity about an overlooked chapter in American history grew into a profound exploration of how nations remember, forget, and shape their own narratives. Attendees will hear the extraordinary story behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and view rare primary sources from the Blassie family and government archives.