James Blaschek: Field Hospital Medic Lucky in his Assignment

By Vince Kelly, Honor Flight Chicago Veteran Interview Volunteer

James T. Blaschek was an only child from Peoria pursuing a career in education when his country called. Having come from a family of veterans, he did not hesitate to serve. After being drafted, he started his training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. With proficiency in the skill of typing, Blaschek figured he’d be assigned to an office pool. Instead, he was sent to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX for medic training. 

James had no idea where he would end up next. He was sent to Dong Tam Vietnam in the Mekong Delta. Although his family was initially upset that he was being sent to Vietnam, James admitted that he considered his placement to be rather lucky. He was assigned to a base camp hospital shared by the Army and Navy. Here, James worked as a nurse, assisting his fellow servicemen in their healing. James emphasized his fortune in his assignment as he was able to serve and contribute, yet under better conditions than most. 

The 9th Infantry, 9th Medical Division was primarily stationary; James equated this temporary community to living in a small city. He stayed in barracks on the base where the weather was extremely hot on a daily basis. While he ate at the mess hall, he did confess that the chefs took good care of him and the other medics. In his free time, he was often playing softball and volleyball, in addition to enjoying music on old reel to reel players.

James had a break in his routine when he was assigned to the USS Nueces (APB-40) with the 9th Infantry River Rats from August, 1968 to January, 1969. His time on the ship was a favorite part of his deployment. When he returned to the base camp hospital, he enjoyed the Army versus Navy Olympics, in which his Army and Navy friends were pitted against each other in different sports. He also particularly enjoyed the “short stick” parties, which were thrown for the servicemen who had little service time left before being sent home. When it was James’s time for his own party, he decided to extend his tour by seven weeks.

When he returned home, his parents, aunt, uncle, and friends were there to greet him. They celebrated both his parents’ 25th anniversary and his own homecoming. Instead of doing the club hopping that his friends wanted him to participate in, he enjoyed home cooking. More than anything, James said, serving gave him a deep appreciation for the military. Like many Vietnam vets, he wished Americans had been generally more welcoming to him and his fellow vets. 

After serving, he attended Illinois State, where he met his wife, with whom he had three children. James is now a grandfather to four. His first job out of college was in the liquor department at Jewel Osco. Just two weeks later, he was hired to be a teacher at Proviso East High School. He taught from 1973 to 2005 in addition to being the sports announcer for 20 years. He was also able to coach his kids’ soccer and basketball teams, which he absolutely loved. 

James reiterated his gratitude. He was able to serve his country and his fellow servicemen while doing so in better conditions than most. 

Thank you, James, for your service to your country and community. Enjoy your well-deserved Honor Flight!