Texas
Military Forces
Hall of Honor
Joseph T.
Blakslee
Brigadier General (Brevet) Joseph T.
Blakslee was born in Creedmore, Texas. on 5 October 1919. He attended
Austin High School and St. Edwards University prior to receiving his LLB
from the University of Texas School of Law in 1947.
He enlisted in the Texas National Guard on 10 January 1940 in Company A,
111th Quartermasters Regiment, 36th Infantry Division and mobilized with
the Division for World War II, 25 November 1940. He attended OCS and was
commissioned a second lieutenant, served in Newfoundland during the war
and was discharged as a first lieutenant 6 March 1946. He returned to
the Texas National Guard in July 1948 serving in various assignments
including Division Quartermaster, Battalion Commander, Support Command
Commander and Group Commander until his transfer to the Retired Reserve
31 May 1970. In recognition of his service, he was breveted Brigadier
General by the Governor 27 October 1970.
A very successful lawyer, General Blakslee was extremely active in
devoting time over and above his military duties providing legal
services without charge to many fellow guardsmen. He was a Justice of
the Peace, county judge, a member of NGAT's legislative task force, and
served on the board of directors of the Marywood Maternity and Adoption
Agency. Despite the demands of his active military and civilian career
he made significant contributions by working through political channels
to provide modern equipment, greater strength allocations and realistic
recruiting and retention incentives for the Texas National Guard.
General Blakslee passed away on 7 March 1990 but the service of this
distinguished citizen soldier will always be remembered as a shining
example of devotion and dedication to duty.
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