| In
May of 1967 Ken “Doc” Blakely was recently married and attending
college part time while working to support his new family when he received
his induction notice.
Although he had been accepted as a fulltime student in Radiological
Technology classes and could reinstate his student deferment, Doc decided
to temporarily forgo his education and accept the induction.
Doc is a Seventh Day Adventist so the decision to accept induction
was a deeply personal one.
The Seventh Day Adventist church believes killing is against
God’s law, but they also believe service to one’s country is a moral
imperative.
With the Church’s support Doc could have asked for, and received,
a complete deferment from the military based on his lifelong commitment to
the church.
An alternative to a complete deferment would have been a military
occupation which permitted him to worship and rest on Saturdays, the
Sabbath for the Seventh Day Adventists.
Inspired by Desmond Doss, a Seventh Day Adventist who won the
Congressional Medal of Honor in WWII, while serving as a medic, Doc chose
to accept induction as a Conscientious Objector, but to serve on the
battlefield as a Combat Medic.
Doc joined D Company, 2/12 Infantry in Vietnam in December of 1967.
He was wounded twice, received the Purple Heart, and was decorated
three times for what Doc insists was no more than doing his job.
He left Vietnam in Dec of 1968.
Doc supported the war and does not believe his status as a CO makes
him any less responsible for the deaths inflicted on the enemy his platoon
engaged in the field.
He often wished the enemy dead, particularly when they tried to
hurt the casualties he was working to save.
After returning to the States Doc resumed his education and became
a Radiology Technician by profession and a competitive water skier in his
free time.
In 1984 Doc was divorced and soon after married his present wife,
RoseMary.
RoseMary is a critical part of Doc’s process of coming home.
She was his support and inspiration.
Doc and Rosemary have three children and two grandchildren and live
in Ukiah California.
Doc dedicates his page to all men of the 2/12th but
specifically the 3rd Platoon, Lt.
Andy Farris, Sgt. Billy J. Jordan, Sgt. “Pete” Peterson, Sgt.
“Ole” Olearain, Sgt. Hailstone, Willie Hunter KIA, Tim Schroeder (KIA),
Dale Wrightson, Tom Churchill, Robin Hurt, Patrick Cook, Jr. (KIA), Lt. Ed
Golder II (KIA), Ray Lucero, Jimmy Yamishita, ALL MEDICS especially Bob
Kime and Eddie Gray, Lt Ed Domaleski, Jim Hekker. Marty Martinez (Tunnel
Rat), Lt. General Dean Tice, Chaplain Jim Tobin, Monte Campbell, Brig.
General Mike Byrne, Lt. Mike Christenson,
Cpt. Jim Ellis, Cpt. Ed Bethea, Dr. Paul Rhodes, MD Cpt. and all
the rest of you.
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