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LCpl. Thomas A. Blair, U.S.M.C (KIA)
2003-03-31
By Robert Medley
The Oklahoman
An Oklahoma Marine reported missing in Iraq last week was killed, the father of Lance Cpl.
Thomas A. Blair said Sunday.
Blair is the first known native Oklahoman killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Marines on Saturday visited Al Blair's home in Gravette, Ark., and told him his son, Thomas Blair, had been killed. Thomas Blair was reported missing March 23 in fierce fighting near An Nasiriyah.
Al Blair said the family may comment today. His oldest son, Alfred Blair, 29, a Marine staff sergeant who has not been deployed to the Middle East, may release a statement through a Marine Reserve anti-tank training center in Tulsa, he said.
"We really can't make any comment right now," Al Blair said Sunday afternoon.
Thomas Blair was among eight North Carolina-based Marines who disappeared during fighting on the An Nasiriyah outskirts, the U.S. Defense Department said.
In Broken Arrow, Mayor Jim Reynolds said he planned to meet today with the city's staff to discuss ideas for honoring the fallen Marine.
A Marine killed March 23 near An Nasiriyah also had ties to the state. Second Lt. Frederick Eben Pokorney, 31, lived in North Carolina and was born in California. He lived in Wynnewood from 1981 to 1987.
Thomas Blair joined the Marines in 1997, the same year he graduated from Broken Arrow High School.
Band teacher Darren Davis said he recognized Thomas Blair's talents with drums when he taught Blair in the ninth and 10th grades at Broken Arrow North Intermediate High School.
"He (Blair) was very enthusiastic, very smart and a good player," Davis said Sunday. "He showed great leadership skills."
Davis said he made Blair a percussion section leader.
"In a student leadership position, you earn that by being well-respected," Davis said.
The school will look for a way to memorialize Thomas Blair's life, Davis said.
"I'm still very proud of what he chose to do for our country. It hurts."
Thomas Blair was assigned to the 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion,
Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing in Cherry Point, N.C.
CONTRIBUTING: The Associated Press