Military Memorial
Peacetime
Slator C. Blackiston III
Class of 1968
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy
Date of birth: January 25, 1946
Date of death: April 12, 1984
Died in a parachute training accident.
Lt. Slator C. Blackiston III, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, was a decorated U.S. Navy SEAL. He served with distinction during multiple tours in Vietnam, earning four Bronze Stars with Combat "V," a Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V," the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and the Meritorious Service Medal. He attended Wofford into his junior year before joining the Navy on Feb. 1, 1967. At the time of his passing, he was serving as an exchange officer with the French Navy. He tragically died during a parachute training accident at the French naval base in Toulon.
Dale G. Vezey
Class of 1973
Commander, U.S. Navy
Date of birth: December 6, 1950
Date of death: February 16, 1990
Killed in jet crash.
Vezey served as a Navy reserve pilot from Naval Air Station Oceana near Norfolk, Virginia, when he was involved in a plane crash during a practice exercise. According to reports, Vezey never acknowledged a 'knock it off' command that signaled the four aircraft that the dogfight was over.