Jerry Lee Blasdel passed away at his home on October 26, 2024, surrounded by his family. Jerry was born in 1945 in Rosenberg, Texas, where he grew up working on the family farm alongside his parents and siblings. He spent his childhood rough-housing with his younger brother Jim, raising calves to compete in livestock shows, and riding horses in the local rodeo. He graduated from Lamar High School in 1963 and attended Texas A&M at College Station, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Economics in May 1968. He put himself through college by working as a roughneck for Big Creek Oilfield, and he said that the long hours and hard work kept him out of trouble when he wasn’t in school.

Jerry was drafted into the United States Army after graduation and reported for basic training at Fort Hood on June 6, 1968. While he didn’t speak much about his time in Vietnam, Jerry credits his commanding officer with the leadership skills he developed during that time, saying that those abilities were essential to his pipeline career after service. Jerry was assigned to Air Cavalry Troop of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, from October 1, 1968 to October 31, 1969 as an Aero Scout. He served as a helicopter scout, sighting enemy positions and radioing their location to friendly forces. His decorations include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and the Army Air Medal with oak leaf cluster and “V.” He returned from Vietnam and was honorably discharged on April 9, 1970.

Following his time in service, Jerry found work as an equipment operator for Louis Jankowski before starting his career at Troy Construction, where he worked for over forty years, reaching the positions of general superintendent and vice president. Over the years, Jerry made a name for himself as both a capable pipeliner and a firm but fair leader. His strong reputation followed him as he opened Blasdel Drilling, a directional drilling company specializing in fiber optic cable installation. No matter his company, title, or position, he humbly answered everyone who asked his occupation with “I’m just a ditch digger.”

Jerry saw his children grow up and get married, and he adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved to spend time working in his yard and could often be found mowing on his John Deere tractor or picking up sticks in his Kubota side-by-side. After spending most of his working years traveling, he preferred to stay home and enjoy the company of family and close friends. His favorite pastimes were swapping stories on the back porch, watching deer in the pasture behind the house, and sitting in a rocking chair in his reading room.

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William “Bill” Pullman Jr., 59, passed away on November 18, 2023, at home in his favorite recliner. He was born on February 20, 1964, in Kingston, New York.

William served in the United States Army from 1985 to 1988. During his time in the service, he was stationed in Fulda, Germany with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhorse). After his active-duty service, he went on to join the Army Reserves. Bill was honorably discharged from the Army.

After his service time, William worked for Walden Books & Software. He then worked for Spectrum for 27 years, where he was a construction coordinator.

William was a member of the Showboat Theatre in Eddyville and performed in Lenten Plays at the Bloomington Dutch Reformed Church. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed bowling. He was a faithful Eagles fan and a loyal Yankees fan. Bill was also a member of the Quarter Century Club at Spectrum. He was also a NYS Master Forest Owner Volunteer.

Arrangements were entrusted to Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc., 326 Albany Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on December 15, 2023, at St. Mary’s RC Church, 160 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401. For those who wish, contributions in William’s memory may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at www.StJude.org. A tribute for William can be found at www.KeyserFuneralService.com, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for his family.

A tribute video can be found at https://www.keyserfuneralservice.com/obituaries/william-pullman-jr. 

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William “Bill” Pullman, Jr., please visit our flower store.

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One of the last photos of James taken with his great-grandson, 2 weeks before his passing.

SFC James Nolan Powers passed away at the age of 71 on November 16, 2024. He served 18 years with the Regiment; his last position was Regimental CIF NCOIC and property book officer in Fulda, Germany until 1993. He is survived by his son James Jason Powers and his family that likewise served with the Regiment from 1992 until its deactivation in Fulda, Germany. He loved his regiment till the day he passed. His collection of hundreds of regimental memorabilia from the 70’s to the early 90’s including pieces from the fallen border were his pride and joy. He was a trooper through and through.

James “Doc” Powers
Med SGT (Ret.)

For this year’s Giving Tuesday on December 3 next week, please consider a generous donation to the Blackhorse Association. Your Association relies completely on funding from our members and friends to fulfill our mission: honoring the members who gave their lives in service to our country and regiment, fostering the bonds formed within the regiment, celebrating the regiment’s achievements and traditions, supporting the troopers currently serving, and providing educational scholarships for the children of the regiment. Combining large and small donations has enabled us to give well over $1 million in scholarships for family members of current or former Blackhorse troopers.

Your donation will enable us to sponsor a trooper to attend the Blackhorse Reunion and Regimental Ball in Las Vegas in July, 2025; or perhaps you can help fund the restoration of a Blackhorse museum piece at locations around the country as well as in museums at OP Alpha and India; or your generosity will help buy trophies and T-shirts for the Fort Irwin/ Blackhorse Marathon.

Please help sustain our regiment’s spirit by clicking https://blackhorse.org/donate/ and donating $50 or more on Giving Tuesday. Allons

Courtesy of Don Snedeker

Louisville Courier Journal, November 25, 1982

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In 1907 and 1908, while 2nd and 3rd Squadrons were deployed in Cuba to put down an insurgency, 1st Squadron was posted at Fort Ethan Allen, VT. This article is from the March 1, 1908 edition of the Kingston Daily Freeman.

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The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Light) was reactivated on August 1, 1951 at Camp Carson, CO. This article appeared in the Camp Carson Mountaineer on May 2, 1952.

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Courtesy of Harry Lesser

We are attempting to locate anyone who knew of or witnessed the troops in contact in which SGT Hartsuff was killed and awarded the Silver Star. In 1969, he was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 11th ACR to a flame thrower unit.

On 6 September 1969, his unit was ordered to relocate to a position southwest of An Loc to perform a RECON mission. On 7 September, supporting artillery, gunship and air fires were called in targeting the tunnel complex within a rubber plantation west of An Loc. In the afternoon, his unit attacked north to engage the enemy complex. His M113 Zippo APCs and M48A3 Tanks were ordered to provide suppressive fires upon initial contact. SGT Hartsuff’s Silver Star citation indicates he positioned his vehicle within meters of tunnel complex opening, expended his flame charge and then dismounted and attempted to rescue his commander with his personal rifle and his grenades before he was killed in action. Afterwards, the enemy broke contact and left behind 98 dead.

SGT Hartsuff’s service and Blackhorse-related information is located on the BHA’s Blackhorse Memorial page at this link: https://memorial.blackhorse.org/hartsuff-leo- francis/.

If you have any information on this, please contact:

Mike Hill, Colonel, USA (Ret.)

mike4217@gmail.com

Do you have items of interest that are related to the Blackhorse? Please send them to Clint Ancker, Director of Communications, at banditsix@aol.com.