Merlin Dale Blackmore

Merlin Blackmore

Thirty Years Ago
October 2, 1943

Another local man has paid the supreme sacrifice and another home is saddened. Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Blackmore received a telegram from Navy officials Tuesday stating that their son, Merlin, had been killed in action October 16, in the South Pacific.

Thon Book No. 2
1943
Merlin Blackmore Killed in S. Pacific

Another local man has paid the supreme sacrifice and another home saddened. Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Blackmore received a telegram from Navy officials Tuesday, Oct. 16 in the South Pacific and asked them not to divulge his exact location.

He enlisted in the Navy Aug. 4, 1942 and was graduated from the Navy Training school at San Diego, Calif. as a fireman second class on the 8th of January of this year and the following months sent overseas.

Three brothers are also serving in the armed forces, Guy who is in Alaska; Leroy in Iran, and Clyde at a training camp in Alabama.

Merlin was born at the home of his parents Jan. 12, 1915 and attended the Lusk schools. In 1939 he went to Idaho for a time and then to Hawarth, Calif., from which place he enlisted.

One brother, Bobbie, age 14, preceded him in death, passing away in 1941. He is survived by his parents, and one sister, Anna May and nine brothers. The ones not mentioned above are Theron, Ed, Harold, Clifford, Delmar and Gene.

The Lusk Herald
January 27, 1949
Merlin Blackmore Remains to Be Returned to Lusk

The remains of Merlin D. Blackmore, fireman second class, of the U.S. Navy, will arrive in Lusk on Friday, February 4, from San Francisco, Calif.

The deceased is the son of W. S. Blackmore of Lusk and is among the young men who lost their life in World War II, and whose remains have recently been sent back to the United States. A military escort will accompany the body and funeral arrangements are tentatively set for Sunday, February 6, at the Peet Chapel.

The Lusk Herald
February 3, 1949
Merlin Blackmore Services to Be Held Here Sunday

Funeral services will be held for Fireman 2/c Merlin Dale Blackmore at the Peet Chapel on Sunday, February 6, at 2:00 p.m.

The body of the young man was among the veterans returned recently from the Pacific area, where he was killed October 16, 1943, while serving with the United States Navy in the South Pacific.

He is the son of W.S. Blackmore of Lusk and was the fourth young man from Niobrara County to give his life for his country.

The services will be under the auspices of Weiten-Dupes Post No. 4 of the American Legion, with full military honors. Rev. Clyde E. Hampton, chaplain of the Post, will officiate at the services.

The Lusk Herald
February 10, 1949
Burial Services for Merlin Blackmore Are Held Sunday

Funeral services for Merlin Dale Blackmore were conducted from the Peet Chapel on Sunday, February 6, at 2:00 o'clock, with Rev. Clyde E. Hampton, chaplain of the local post, officiating.

Fireman 2/c Merlin Dale Blackmore was among the Navy men who paid the supreme sacrifice and whose body was recently returned from the Pacific area.

Arrangements for the services were under the auspices of Weiten-Dupes Post No. 4, in conjunction with the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and he was laid to rest with full military honors.

During the service a trio composed of Miss Bessie Lumsden, Mrs. C.E. Marvin and Mrs. A.F. DeCastro sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "We Are Going Down the Valley." Mrs. J.P. Watson was the accompanist.

The bearers were five brothers, Clyde, Theron, Leroy, Delmar, Eugene, and one nephew, Eugene.

Merlin Dale, son of William S. and Lela Mae Blackmore, was born near Lusk, Wyo., January 12, 1915. He received his elementary and high school education in the Lusk schools, and was especially interested in music. He took an active part in two youth organizations, the Future Farmers of America, in which he won honors at Laramie, Wyo., and he also made noteworthy achievements in 4-H Club work.

He entered the service of the United States Navy on August 2, 1942. After initial training he served on the ship "Fuller" in the South Pacific and was at Vella Lavella in the Solomon Islands when he was killed on October 16, 1943, at the age of 28.

Burial at that time was made in New Guinea.

During his service he was awarded the Purple Heart and several other medals for faithful, brave and courageous service.

His mother and two brothers, Bob and Clifford, preceded him in death, and he is survived by his father, W.S. Blackmore, one sister, Anna Mae, both of Lusk, and eight brothers - Theron, Clyde, Leroy and Eugene of Lusk, Edward of Arlington, Va., Harold and Guy of Beuna, Wash., and Delmar of Torrington, Wyo.

Leroy Blackmore is at present in the service of the U.S. Army and is stationed in Arabia.

Thon Files
Memorial Services For Merlin Blackmore Sunday

Derk J. Wieten Post No. 4, American Legion, will hold a public memorial service for F 2/c Merlin Dale Blackmore, U.S.N.R., son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. S. Blackmore, who was killed in action somewhere in the South Pacific on October 16, 1945. He was born January 12, 1915.

Merlin enlisted in the W. S. Navy on August 4, 1942, and saw action at Guadalcanal and other South Pacific engagements.

The service will begin at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 13, 1944, and all who attend must be in the Armory at that time, as the doors will be closed during the ceremony.

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