PFC James Ernest Blake, Jr.

Our Hometown Heroes

James Ernest Blake, Jr.

Died in Europe During WWII

James Ernest Blake, Jr. was born in 1922. Growing up in Griffin-Spalding County, Blake attended the local grammar schools and worked in the textile industry. Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Blake, Sr. were his parents.

Joining the US Army on January 29, 1943, Blake quickly became a Private First Class. He trained for his military service at Ft. Benning.

Limited information shows that PFC Blake died in the European Theater of World War II, toward the end of the war. He was killed in action on March 23, 1945. PFC Blake’s body was returned to Griffin in November, 1948. It is not known where the young man is buried but thought perhaps to be near his father, who is buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery.

A sad and loving family; Parents Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Blake, Sr., three sisters Mrs. Jessie Dozier, Savannah Blake and Bertha Blake, and three brothers, Edward, B.M. and Willie Blake posted a warm tribute to their fallen son exactly a year after his death in the Atlanta Daily World on March 23, 1946. It reads:

“You end was sad dear son
It made us weep and cry
But the sadness part of it all
You never said good-bye
You are sadly missed by all.”

A heartfelt tribute to a fallen Griffin-Spalding County Hometown Hero. PFC Blake is honored by a grateful community with an individual plaque to be installed in Griffin.