WALTER C. BLEKICKI, LT, USN
Walter Blekicki '66
Lucky Bag
From the 1966 Lucky Bag:
WALTER CARROLL BLEKICKI
Reading, Pennsylvania
Skip came to the Naval Academy via Bullis Prep and Brown University. With him, he brought a friendly smile and a personality that has won him many friends throughout the Brigade. Although academic excellence has managed to elude him, Skip has shown the kind of determination and initiative it takes to come out on top. His athletic experience has proved a great asset to his company teams every year, be it football, soccer, or softball. His previous experience in the Naval Reserve also proved to be a great asset to everyone during Plebe Summer as he displayed the kind of leadership that all men look for in their CO. A successful career in the Navy seems inevitable to such a person.
WALTER CARROLL BLEKICKI
Reading, Pennsylvania
Skip came to the Naval Academy via Bullis Prep and Brown University. With him, he brought a friendly smile and a personality that has won him many friends throughout the Brigade. Although academic excellence has managed to elude him, Skip has shown the kind of determination and initiative it takes to come out on top. His athletic experience has proved a great asset to his company teams every year, be it football, soccer, or softball. His previous experience in the Naval Reserve also proved to be a great asset to everyone during Plebe Summer as he displayed the kind of leadership that all men look for in their CO. A successful career in the Navy seems inevitable to such a person.
Loss
Walter Carroll Blekicki was lost on December 14, 1973 when the aircraft he was piloting crashed aboard USS Oriskany (CV 34), operating in the Arabian Sea.
Other Information
From the May 1974 issue of Shipmate:
A native of Reading, Pa., Lt. Blekicki was a 1966 graduate of the Naval Academy. Following graduation he began flight training, receiving his aviator's wings in 1968. His first duty station was with Attack Squadron 72, after which he was assigned to the PG School, Monterey, where he received his bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering. He was then transferred to the Lemoore based training squadron, VA-125, before being assigned to VA-153, his last duty station.
Lt. Blekicki is survived by his widow, Patricia, 70 South Olive St., Lemoore, CA 93245; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Blekicki; and two brothers, Thomas and John.
Walter was piloting an A-7B Corsair II. (Information from a now-defunct website.)
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Walter graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1959. He played a wrestler in the school play: The Teahouse of the August Moon.
His engagement to Patricia A. Gemmill was announced in February 1965.
Walter's Find A Grave page is here.
Photographs
From the May 1974 issue of Shipmate
From his high school yearbook
From his high school yearbook
From his high school yearbook
From his high school yearbook
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