SCPO David Blake McLendon

 

 

Senior Chief Petty Officer David B. McLendon, 30, of Thomasville, GA, was a Navy cryptologic technician assigned to an east coast Naval Special Warfare unit. Growing up, Blake developed a love for such typical American pastimes as fishing and baseball. He also excelled at soccer, playing the difficult position of goalie for a local travel team. 

He was a graduate of Thomas County Central High School in Georgia, and following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, entered the Navy in 1998. He was a successful and dedicated naval non-commissioned officer, quickly rising through the ranks. In 2009, McLendon was promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer and served as a Navy cryptologic technician. During his twelve-year Naval career, he served at Norfolk, Virginia and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the Joint Expeditionary Base at Little Creek, Virginia.

While deployed to Afghanistan, he was one of nine service members tragically killed when their Army Blackhawk helicopter went down in the southern Afghanistan province of Zabul on Sept. 21, 2010.

His awards include the Bronze Star; the Joint Service Commendation Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; Navy Battle “E” Ribbon (two awards); Navy Good Conduct Medal (three awards); and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

His fellow service members said they remember McLendon as a consummate Navy professional with a quick wit and an engaging sense of humor. He loved fishing, the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta Braves.  His mother summed him up best by noting that Blake, “was a gentle giant who always fought for what was right.” 

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