Joe Blackwell

Command Sergeant Major Joe B. Blackwell, U.S. Army, Ret., age 87, of Long Beach, passed away on June 5, 2018.
He was preceded in death by a son, James Keith Blackwell; his parents, Charles Blackwell, Sr., and Denisha Blackwell; his siblings, Vera Mae Broadus, Theodore G. Blackwell, Ruby Lee Patton, Dorothy Marie Reeves, Charles W. Blackwell, Jr., and John W. Blackwell.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Debbie Blackwell; 2 children, Victor (Victoria) Blackwell and Cheryl (Walt) Moskal; 5 grandchildren, Michael (Kimberly) Schmotzer, Holly (Hunter) Lawler, Brandon (Callie) Blackwell, Brian (Kayla) Blackwell, and Kyle Moskal; 3 great-grandchildren, Gabriel Schmotzer, Jonah Schmotzer, and Andrew Blackwell; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Sergeant Major Blackwell was a native of Lyman, MS and has lived in Long Beach since his retirement from the Army in September 1972.  A veteran of over 23 years of military service, he entered the U.S. Army in January 1949, from Ft. Jackson, South Carolina.  As a 19 year old ground combat soldier, he served with the 2nd Infantry Division in the Korean War in 1950 - 1951.  He again saw action as a combat soldier while serving with the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) in the Vietnam War in 1967-68 as an Infantry Battalion Command Sergeant Major.  His assignments included 1 tour with the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam, 3 tours with the 2nd Infantry Division in Ft. Lewis (Tacoma) Washington, Korea, and Ft. Benning (Columbus) Georgia, 2 tours with the 5th Infantry Division in Ft. Jackson (Columbia) South Carolina and Augsberg, Germany; 4 tours with the Infantry Officer Candidate School, Ft. Benning, Georgia and 1 tour with the 171st Infantry Brigade in Ft. Wainwright (Fairbanks, Alaska) base.  While a 1st Sergeant and acting as a Command Sergeant Major, he was responsible for creating a new Battalion of officer candidates at Ft. Benning, Georgia.
Upon retiring from military service, Sergeant Major Blackwell attended college in Gulfport, MS and in 1974, accepted employment as a U.S. Civil Servant at Keesler Air Force Base with the 3380th Security Police Squadron.  Upon his departure from Keesler Air Force Base in August 1984, Joe had worked his way up to become the Base Information Security Manager.  In this capacity, he was responsible for the safeguarding and maintenance of classified information and materials on the base.
He also managed the Base Resources Protection Program, Personnel Security Program, and Crime Prevention Program.  He was selected as the Outstanding Security Police Civilian employee of the year and unprecedented three consecutive years in 1980, 81, and 82 in competition with twelve other Air Force Bases in Air Training Command.  In 1984, Joe transferred to John C. Stennis Space Center, Hancock County, MS, as an employee with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  He served in the capacity of Technical Manager of Security Force Contractor organizations and as Chief of Security in the capacity of NASA Security Special Agent.
Mr. Blackwell retired from NASA in November 1991 after more than 41 years of combined total service with the U.S.  Military and Civil Service organizations.  Sergeant Major Blackwell's awards and decorations while in military service include: The Legion of Merit, Four Bronze Stars (V) Device for valor, the Purple Heart, two Air Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, The Occupation Medal (Germany), Two National Defense Service Medals, The Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Honor Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal 1st Class, U.S. Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Presidential Unit Citation and two awards of the Combat Infantryman's Badge.
Visitation will be on Friday, June 8, 2018, from 8 - 9 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 720 E Beach Blvd., Long Beach.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 am in the church.  Interment will be in Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105
The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Long Beach, is serving the family and an online guestbook may be signed and condolences offered at www.riemannfamily.com