First Lieutenant Michael J. Blassie, a Florissant patriot, graduated from the Air Force Academy and became a fighter pilot in the 8th Special Ops Squadron in Vietnam. He received the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal. On May 11, 1972, during his 138th combat mission, his A-37 Dragonfly was shot down. His remains were classified as "unknown but to God" and were randomly chosen as the Vietnam Unknown Soldier at Arlington, where he was buried with full military honors and awarded the Medal of Honor by President Reagan. Advances in DNA identified his remains in 1998, and he returned home to Florissant for a funeral at Saint Dismas and interment at Jefferson Barracks.