WARREN J. BLANKE, JR., LTJG, USN

From USNA Virtual Memorial Hall
Warren Blanke, Jr. '60

Date of birth: August 27, 1938

Date of death: February 7, 1963

Age: 24

Lucky Bag

From the 1960 Lucky Bag:

1960 Blanke LB.jpg

WARREN JENNINGS BLANKE, JR.

Cleveland, Ohio

Jay, as he is called by all, came to the Naval Academy after finishing high school at Culver Military Academy. He has fitted easily into the life here with a minimum of trouble in academics. During the winter, Jay was hard at work for the swimming team, winning three varsity letters and the honor of being elected team captain first class year. The activities of the French Club, WRNV, and the Log and Splinter rounded out his extracurricular life. Jay had two loves here at the convent, and he was constantly dividing his time between them. Consequently, on weekends, if he weren't dragging, he was sure to be in the pad. Jay had a rich sense of humor and provided the gang here with many good times.

1960 Blanke LB.jpg

WARREN JENNINGS BLANKE, JR.

Cleveland, Ohio

Jay, as he is called by all, came to the Naval Academy after finishing high school at Culver Military Academy. He has fitted easily into the life here with a minimum of trouble in academics. During the winter, Jay was hard at work for the swimming team, winning three varsity letters and the honor of being elected team captain first class year. The activities of the French Club, WRNV, and the Log and Splinter rounded out his extracurricular life. Jay had two loves here at the convent, and he was constantly dividing his time between them. Consequently, on weekends, if he weren't dragging, he was sure to be in the pad. Jay had a rich sense of humor and provided the gang here with many good times.

Shipmate

From USNA '60 Memorial Site:

Jay was killed on the afternoon of 7 February when his A-4C crashed into the Mediterranean Sea, while operating off USS Forrestal (CV 59). His death was confirmed when his remains were found at the scene of the crash. Jay is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Warren J. Blanke, and his sister, Gail, of Lakewood, Ohio. We wish that we could express the great sorrow that we all feel whenever one of our own passes away — Jay, as all the others, will be missed very much. Shipmate, March 1963

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

At Culver Military Academy, he was in Company C. Three years of service. Varsity Athletics: Football (Letters III, II, I); Swimming (Letters III, II, Co-Capt. I): Tennis (Letter II). Honor Guard (I); Cadet Club (I); Cordon (IV, III, II), Pres. (I); Drama Club (II, Publicity Manager I); Varsity Club (II, Bd of Governors I); President, I Class; Chairman, Board of Governors, Beason Hall (I). Private (III); Sergeant (II); First Lieutenant & Regimental Adj. (I).

His sister Gail went to his school’s homecoming dance in 1956 and was photographed dancing with Cadet Jim Dunlap.

Jay has a memory marker in Arlington National Cemetery.

Photographs

Related Articles

Thomas Taylor '60 also wrote for The Log Splinter.


Class of 1960

Warren is one of 28 members of the Class of 1960 on Virtual Memorial Hall.

QR code

The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.