Thomas E. Blagg

I was an ROTC classmate of Tom's at Arkansas State College in the mid-1950s. Even then he demonstrated leadership in everything he did, whether it was in the classroom, on the football field, or on the ROTC drill grounds. I am gratified but hardly surprised by his enormous accomplishments in his 27 years of military service.

Colonel Blagg was the Division Chief of Staff while I was on the Commanding General's personal staff (MG Monterey then MG Hudachek) He was THE funniest officer I ever knew- full of wit. During one general's staff meeting, one of his G-staff (division section head) suggested an idea that was a tad bit over the top. Colonel Blagg responded, "Ken, that's like asking an elephant to incubate the eggs in a robin's nest." I got the giggles SO bad, everyone had to start laughing. Keep in mind this...

LTC Blagg was our battalion commander in Viet Nam in '71 and '72. I was a young ROTC engineering officer helping build fire bases, demo enemy bunkers, cut landing and pick up zones. We were all Cav officers and we liked that. LTC Blagg lost one of his chinook copters and 34 men on their way to an in country R& R at Vung Tau. Tragic. Things were winding down and I suspect most of those guys were on their way home. Rest in Peace! Mike Essling 219 851 6697

I was with Captain Blagg on his first Vietnam deployment in 1964. He was the leader of our 12 man Special Forces A-Team. We spent several months isolated in the small village of Tan Phu on the edge of the U-Minh Forest in the Mekong Delta. Later, we moved to another small village called Don Phuc which was near the Cambodia border. Our mission was to intercept North Vietnamese soldiers crossing the river into Vietnam. Captain Blagg was leading a small Vietnamese militia patrol that we had...

Condolences to the Blagg family. It was my great privilege to serve in the Office of the Chief of Staff, 4th ID, when Col Blagg was the Chief of Staff, affectionately, "the Chief." I was a young Lt/Cpt. Almost every day I learned something about being a soldier, an officer, and a person from Col Blagg. He made me better in all three. We all admired him. Great leader and mentor. RIP, Chief. Thank you! John L. Easterwood 1st BN, 8th United States Infantry 4th Infantry Division

Not just the finest combat commander I served under, but the finest man, a Father figure I have tried to emulate my whole life. Rest In Peace, Sir, you will be missed by me every day. Paul Cowan, Recon, 2/8 Air Cav. Airborne, All The Way!

One morning deep in the "bush" in Vietnam, LTC Blagg's command chopper landed near our rifle company's position. He was visiting his units in the field, giving support to the men serving there. I was attached to the grunts as their artillery forward observer. LTC Blagg walked right up to me and said, "I've heard good things about you, red leg". I was walking on air. Those thoughtful words of a great warrior and leader are still in my head today, over 50 years later. I ran into him...

Aimee, I send you my love and my deep condolences.

Tom Blagg was my battalion commander (2d Battalion 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division) in Vietnam. He was a great and courageous leader. I can't tell you how much we respected and admired him. I never met a better Soldier/leader. My heartfelt condolences go out to his children and grandchildren. How lucky you were to be raised by such a wonderful dad and mom! Sincerely, Robert T Clark Lieutenant General U.S. Army Retired