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 Redding, 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
Ken Blakely Biography