Blais, Albert Edward

RM3c Albert Edward Blais

Albert Edward Blais was born Nov. 1, 1922 in Fall River, Massachusetts, to Florence Kay Blais and William Blais.

By the time of the 1930 Census the family, which included four children, lived in the Bronx in  New York City, where the father was a fireman at a hotel and the mother a homemaker.

His military record is a bit confusing. On Dec. 11, 1939 he enlisted in the Naval Reserve and was placed on inactive status. His application said he was a student in his second term at Creston Junior High in the Bronx. On the same date he enlisted in the New York Army National Guard.

What is clear is that he was called to Navy active duty and attended the radio school at Noroton Heights, Connecticut near Darien, and in March 1941 sailed from San Diego to join the crew of the U.S.S. Arizona in Hawaii.

Mr. Blais was a radioman and petty officer third class when he was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

His brother, Joseph, also served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War and became a chief machinist’s mate.


 
Sources: Census; New York National Guard service card; Navy enlistment records and muster rolls; grave marker; Social Security card. This profile was researched and written on behalf of the U.S.S. Arizona Mall Memorial at the University of Arizona.
 
NOTE: If you are a family member related to this crew member of the U.S.S. Arizona, or have additional information, pictures or documents to share about his life or service to our county please contact us through our FAMILY MEMBER SUBMISSION FORM 
 
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