James Patrick (JP) Blecksmith, the beloved son of Pam and Ed Blecksmith of San Marino, was killed on Thursday, the 11th of November, 2004 in Fallujah while taking part in Operation Iraqi Freedom II. He died from small arms fire while leading the third platoon in the clearing of buildings in the Jolan District. His platoon was the first unit into Fallujah. The bullet entered his left shoulder and was deflected down to his heart.

JP was born at the Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena on September 26, 1980. He attended Valentine School, in San Marino, through 2nd grade, before the family moved to Seattle, Washington in 1989. JP spent 4th through 6th grade at Epiphany School then returned to Southern California in 1993. He enrolled at Flintridge Preparatory School in La Canada as a 7th grader and graduated in 1999. During his time in high school, JP excelled both in the classroom and on the athletic field. He lettered four years in track, two years in soccer and three years in football. As the football team quarterback, JP was first team all-CIF as a junior and a senior, Prep league’s Most Valuable Player in 1998, named to three national All-American teams as a blue chip athlete, and was first-team all San Gabriel Valley. In track, he medalled, at the CIF finals, in nine events and was all-CIF in his sophomore, junior and senior years, and was the Prep League Most Valuable Athlete in 1999. He served as 10th grade class president, was a member of the National Honor Society, and was a peer counselor. He received an appointment to the US Naval Academy and entered the Academy in June, 1999. He participated in the varsity football program during his four years and lettered as a senior wide receiver. He graduated May, 2003 and accepted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. After taking leave, he completed The Basic School (TBS) and the Infantry Officer’s Course at Quantico, Virginia. In April, 2004 he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment of the First Marine Division and commanded the 3rd Platoon of India Company. After training with his platoon for four months, the Battalion was deployed to Iraq on September 10, 2004.

JP celebrated his 24th birthday in Iraq. JP was a tough, physical and gifted athlete who was also kind, thoughtful, considerate, and humble. J.P. had two goals in going to Iraq: 1) He wanted to be a good leader of his Marines in combat, and 2) he wanted to bring all of his men home safely. He was the only one killed in his platoon. In correspondence home, JP mentioned his optimism about the future of Iraq and was excited about helping to bring freedom to that country. He truly loved his friends and has left many of them behind from Flintridge Prep, the Naval Academy, the Marine Corps, and the community. He touched many lives and will be missed by those who loved him. JP is survived by his father, his sister Christina, brother Alex, as well as his dearest love, Emily Tait.

JP was awarded the Purple Heart, and in a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on April 20, 2005, in front of his platoon, he was awarded, posthumously, the Bronze Star for bravery.