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BORN
1917
DIED
1941
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William Blanchard Obituary
August 22, 1917 - December 7, 1941
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - Boilermaker 1st Class William Eugene Blanchard, USN, 24, was killed on December 7th, 1941 during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Blanchard was one of 429 crewmen that died aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor after sustaining multiple torpedo hits causing the ship to quickly capsize. The loss of life sustained by the USS Oklahoma is only surpassed by the loss of life sustained by the USS Arizona. The remains of Blanchard were positively identified on January 4th, 2021 through DNA testing and will be interred in the New Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, American Defense Service Medal and World War II Victory Medal posthumously.
Bmkr1c Blanchard is survived by his son, William Eugene Blanchard, and his wife, Sandra, both of Elizabeth City, NC; his grandchildren Christopher Blanchard (Carol Crosswhite) of Boise, ID; Darin Blanchard (Heather O'Brien) of Mount Vernon, WA; and Stephanie Blanchard (Douglas Smith) of Elizabeth City, NC; and a great-granddaughter, Samantha Blanchard of San Diego, CA.
Funeral services with military honors will be held Monday, June 7th, 2021, at 1:56 PM in the Sam A. Twiford Veteran Park, 405 E. Church St., Elizabeth City, NC by the Rev. Jason Davis. Burial will be in the New Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC. Twiford Funeral Home, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the Blanchard family. Online memorial condolences may be sent to the family at www.TwifordFH.com.
In lieu of flowers, the Blanchard family humbly requests that donations are made to the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), the organization that enabled Bmkr1c Blanchard's remains to be positively identified, so they may continue their remarkable work for other families. Please follow: https://www.dpaa.mil/Contact/Donate-to-the-Mission/ to give.
FYI: On 7 December 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Oklahoma was moored in berth Fox 5, on Battleship Row,[31] in the outboard position alongside the battleship Maryland.[32] She was immediately targeted by planes from the Japanese aircraft carriers Akagi and Kaga, and was struck by three torpedoes. The first and second hit seconds apart, striking amidships at approximately 07:56, 20 feet (6.1 m) below the waterline between the smokestack and mainmast.
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Memories and Condolences
for William Blanchard
Sponsored by The Idaho Statesman.
Nancy Blanchard
May 28, 2025
So sorry for your loss.
Chief Dave Huffman - Norfolk International Airport
June 7, 2021
On behalf of the Norfolk Airport Authority Police Department, it was truly an honor to welcome home Boilermaker 1st Class Blanchard. We will NEVER forget those that made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom.
James Blanchard, Augusta, Georgia
June 5, 2021
Please accept our most sincere condolence at this time. It reflects upon the Patriotism of our Nation and its people. Many years ago visited the USS Arizona and often wondered who and where the Blanchard listed there was from. I have a book listing Blanchard and allied family's written in 1970; it outlined the Blanchard family that came to America as being from France, to Massachusetts, to Virginia, to North Carolina and to Georgia. Would like to see if we can connect your family tree in the book. I left my name and number with the funeral director. Sad time; glad he is returned home; they did call that generation the Greatest Generation ! May God be with you and your family at this time.
Nancy...Georgia
May 30, 2021
The honor of service envelope you
The peace of God embrace you
Welcome home, Sailor. Welcome Home.
DT
May 11, 2021
I am sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept my condolences. May the love of God, friends and family carry you through your grief. 2nd Thessalonians 2:16,17.
Calvin Earl Blanchard
March 26, 2021
I would like to thank Mr. Blanchard for his service and to the family certainly glad you can have closure, God bless you all.
Audrey Whelan (Hawco)
March 26, 2021
Firstly, I want to thank William for his service. I offer my deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the Blanchard family. I’m happy that the family can now have closure and that the records can now reflect that William is no longer MIA. William was a brave and courageous man who died while fighting for his country. He was selfless and made many sacrifices and I was happy when I read that he had a son and grandchildren who can proudly reiterate his story and carry on his legacy as descendants. His courage and bravery are a testament to who he was as a person. He is indeed a hero and deserving of the honour and accolades bestowed on him posthumously. You have every reason to be proud of William and to be proud of being part of his ancestors and bloodline. You can now add a new chapter to Williams book of life that ends with a happy ending all these years later. It is you who can keep his memory alive for future generations. He is not just statistic. He is a hero!
I’m a Canadian and a couple of my uncles joined the US Airforce and Navy. My uncle Raymond Hawco joined the US Airforce at the tender age of 19. He fought in WWI and WWII. He was a pararescue tech and he served for 27 years. He retired at 48 and lived in Arizona with his family. He died at age 80 and was buried with full military honours. He was another hero! Everyone has a story that deserves to be told. God Bless!
Susie From Florida
March 25, 2021
Welcome Home War Hero. May you finally get to be put to Rest. Thoughts and Prayers to the Entire Family. Hope this helps you all have a piece of mind knowing your Loved One is Home. God Bless You All.
EDDIE HUMPHREY
March 25, 2021
GOD BLESS YOU--WELCOME HOME BRAVE WARRIOR
Lora
March 24, 2021
May God´s loving kindness and comfort help you and your family through this very difficult time.5:4
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Twiford Funeral Homes - Elizabeth City405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909
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