Johnny B. Blocker – Specialist 6, United States Army

Specialist 6h Class Johnny B. Blocker of Waldorf, Maryalnd, died on May 10, 2003 of natural causes at the Civista Medical Center in LaPlata, Maryland.

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1922, Specialist Johnny B. Blocker enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and remained on active duty until 1967 when he retired from the service.

During his service in World War II he was assigned to an elite trucking unit known as the “Red Ball Express” that provided supplies to the front line troops such as ammunition, petrol, food and never failed to deliver the much needed supplies. If not for drivers like him and others, General Patton could not have advanced as fast as he did with his armored division.

Further during the course of performing his duties, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for actions against the enemy. He also earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge (CIB) while assigned to an infantry unit along with the Purple Heart.

The late Specialist Blocker is survived by his wife of 60 years, Geraldine Blocker; daughter, Jackie Rice; sons, Jonathan, Paul and Ronald Sr. Blocker. Also survived by one sister, Margaret Johnson; one brother, Gregory Blocker and a host of other relatives and friends.

BLOCKER, JOHNNY B
SP6   US ARMY
WORLD WAR II, KOREA

• DATE OF BIRTH: 05/08/1922
• DATE OF DEATH: 05/10/2003
• BURIED AT: SECTION 66  SITE 467
  ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard