Grave markers for Jasper F. Blackmon in Oaklawn Cemetery, Eastpoint (Baltimore county), Maryland.

Jasper enlisted in the Army in Richmond, VA on 21 September 1943.

On 10 August 1944 Pvt Blackmon was transferred from the 11th Replacement Depot to Company B, 508th PIR.

Pvt Blackmon was promoted to Pfc on 12 October 1944.

Pfc Blackmon was wounded in action in Belgium on 24 December 1944 and hospitalized.  Then on 31 May 1945 he was removed from the rolls of the 508th and assigned to the hospital's detachment of patients.  He did not return to the regiment.

He remained in the Army and then transferred to the Air National Guard in West Virginia.  On 30 July 1957 MSgt Blackmon was named National Guardsman of the Year by the Air Force Association.

The details of his award and his tragic death are continued on the following pages.