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652:. Under the slogan "Right Man, Right Now," Blaz defeated Won Pat in a rematch in 1984. He went to Congress as a Republican freshman and he was elected President of his class. He joined the Armed Services, Resources and Foreign Affairs Committees where he quickly established a reputation for a strong national defense and a strong commitment to the political development of Guam and the surrounding region. He established strong relationships and demonstrated a rhetorical style that resonated for years.
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These words have been used by subsequent
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editorial supporting statehood for the
District of Columbia, Blaz took the opportunity to explain Guam's situation. He ended his plea for dignity and recognition for Guam by stating "We are equal in war, but not in peace."
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478:. His siblings are Rosario Blaz Cruz, Maria Blaz, Emilia Blaz Rios, Alfred Gregorio G. Blaz, Joaquin G. Blaz, Patricia Blaz Borja and Frank G. Blaz. He was living on the island during the three years of
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In hearings on the status of
Micronesia, he admonished the Bush administration representatives that "we are guardians, not guards of Micronesia." In response to a
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General Blaz served in a variety of command and staff billets throughout the Marine Corps, highlighted in 1972 by his assignment as
Commanding Officer,
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in 1980. As of
February 2010 Blaz is the highest ranked Chamorro to have served in the Marine Corps. He was a professor at the
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with his father
Vicente "Dero" Cruz Blaz and his mother Rita Pangelinan Garrido. Some sources state that he "is from"
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advanced the cause of the return of excess lands and war reparations. His successors built upon these efforts.
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Service schools Blaz attended include the Navy's School of Naval
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and
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List of Asian
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Award, which honors alumni who have distinguished themselves in military service.
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Republican Party members of the United States House of
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after graduation, and served in Japan during the war. He subsequently attended
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1267:"Marines activate Camp Blaz on Guam, the Corps' first new base since 1952"
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He ran for Congress in 1982 and came up short against political legend
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East Asian Americans and Political Participation: A Reference Handbook
1194:"Vicente T. 'Ben' Blaz, Marine general and Guam delegate, dies at 85"
1101:"Vicente T. 'Ben' Blaz, Marine general and Guam delegate, dies at 85"
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defeated Blaz in the November 1992 election. Blaz then retired to
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From September 1972 to August 1975, General Blaz served as Chief,
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Delegates to the United States House of Representatives from Guam
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Delegates to the United States House of Representatives from Guam
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to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served on the
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1160:. Political Participation in America Series. ABC-CLIO. p.
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Congresswoman Bordallo Mourns the Passing of Brig. General Blaz
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1243:. Alumni Association, University of Notre Dame. Archived from
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1293:"Marine Corps activates first new base in nearly 70 years"
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Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
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United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War
675:, the Interior and Insular Affairs Committees, and the
598:(Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe) and
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degree. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the
416:(February 14, 1928 – January 8, 2014), also known as
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Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
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Blaz retired from the Marine Corps with the rank of
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49:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
1339:Brigadier General Vincente T. Blaz, USMC (Retired)
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486:. During the occupation he was forced to work in
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493:In 1947, he was awarded a scholarship to the
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1591:Recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)
1229:VIDEO: Former Congressman Ben Blaz Has Died
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1002:Alumni Association presented him with the
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168:January 3, 1985 – January 3, 1993
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109:Learn how and when to remove this message
1125:Jesse Leon Guerrero (25 February 2010).
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923:Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
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1127:"Marine band to perform at Asan Park"
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47:adding citations to reliable sources
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1606:United States Marine Corps generals
1576:George Washington University alumni
1566:American people of Chamorro descent
1265:Robson, Seth (September 30, 2020).
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1133:. Gannett. Joint Region Edge Staff
716:, he was 85. He was buried at the
470:was born on February 14, 1928, in
16:United States Marine Corps general
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1596:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
1556:20th-century American politicians
1343:Who's Who in Marine Corps History
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1291:Athey, Philip (October 1, 2020).
1099:Schudel, Matt (23 January 2014).
1073:Babauta, Leo (October 14, 2019).
994:In 1988, Blaz was honored by his
732:Blaz's military awards include:
708:Blaz died on January 8, 2014, in
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944:Navy Presidential Unit Citation
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1350:"Vicente Tomás (Ben) Blaz Bio"
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949:National Defense Service Medal
525:. He graduated in 1951 with a
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146:U.S. House of Representatives
1581:Guamanian military personnel
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570:and entered verbatim in the
535:George Washington University
307:George Washington University
7:
1392:. Retrieved on 2010-10-13.
1192:Matt Schudel (2014-01-23).
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1011:Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz
718:Arlington National Cemetery
681:99th United States Congress
251:Arlington National Cemetery
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1611:University of Guam faculty
1331:United States Marine Corps
982:United Nations Korea Medal
531:United States Marine Corps
468:Vicente Tomás Garrido Blaz
425:United States Marine Corps
414:Vicente Tomás Garrido Blaz
345:United States Marine Corps
210:Vicente Tomás Garrido Blaz
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298:University of Notre Dame
1131:Guam Pacific Daily News
971:Vietnam Gallantry Cross
640:Blaz meeting President
632:Delegate, U.S. Congress
451:from Guam in 1984 as a
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987:Vietnam Campaign Medal
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605:In December 1974, the
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1586:Guamanian Republicans
963:Vietnam Service Medal
650:Antonio Borja Won Pat
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592:Joint Chiefs of Staff
562:Newport, Rhode Island
546:Newport, Rhode Island
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447:Blaz was elected the
351:Years of service
958:Korean Service Medal
932:Combat Action Ribbon
667:Blaz was the second
573:Congressional Record
519:Marine Corps Reserve
449:delegate to Congress
225:, U.S. (now Hagåtña)
43:improve this article
1441:Robert A. Underwood
1373:Library of Congress
1202:. Washington, D.C.
1199:The Washington Post
1152:Chi, Tsung (2005).
1105:The Washington Post
965:w/ 3 service stars
714:respiratory failure
694:Robert A. Underwood
581:9th Marine Regiment
550:Fort Sill, Oklahoma
527:Bachelor of Science
501:Marine Corps career
455:. He served in the
378:9th Marine Regiment
191:Robert A. Underwood
1365:"Ben Blaz Garrido"
1297:Marine Corps Times
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618:brigadier general
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428:Brigadier General
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240:Fairfax, Virginia
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