Blake Wayne Van Leer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blake Wayne Van Leer
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| Commander in the United States Navy | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 13, 1926 Berkeley, California |
| Died | October 3, 1997 (aged 71) Arlington, Virginia |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Blake R. Van Leer (father) Ella Lillian Wall Van Leer (mother) Maryly Van Leer Peck (sister) Anthony Wayne (great-great-uncle) |
| Alma mater | Princeton University Duke University North Carolina State University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
| Awards | Legion of Merit |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1943-1971 |
| Rank |  Captain, Commander |
| Commands |  Seabees |
| Battles/wars | World War II Vietnam War |
Blake Wayne Van Leer (born January 13, 1926 – died October 3, 1997) was an important officer in the United States Navy. He was the son of Blake R. Van Leer, who was president of Georgia Institute of Technology, and Ella Lillian Wall Van Leer, a women's rights activist.
Growing Up and Learning
Blake Van Leer was born in Berkeley, California on January 13, 1926. He was one of three children. His family was well-known for their achievements in academics and the military. His father, Blake R. Van Leer, was a colonel and a university president. His mother was a technologist and a main draftswoman in the Quartermaster General's research department.
Blake was part of the Van Leer Family. His ancestor, Samuel Van Leer, and his great-great-granduncle, General Anthony Wayne, were important figures in the American Revolutionary War.
Blake attended Needham B. Broughton High School. He studied at North Carolina State University and earned a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University. Later, he received a Civil Engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He also graduated from the Joint Forces Staff College and earned a master's degree in Civil Engineering from Princeton University.
Military Career
In 1943, Blake Van Leer joined the Navy. He held several important roles in the United States Navy. He quickly became a Lieutenant Commander and then a Commander of the construction battalion known as the Seabees. The Seabees are the Navy's construction engineers.
As a commander, Van Leer led many engineering projects for the Navy during the Vietnam War. He was later promoted to Captain. In 1966, he led a $100 million Seabee project for military development. For his work, he received the Legion of Merit award.
In the same year, he personally led the expansion of the Polaris Weapons System. This system involved Ballistic missile submarines. He also expanded a Naval base in Charleston, SC.
In 1969, Van Leer received the Moreell Medal. This medal is given for outstanding contributions to military engineering. Later in 1969, Van Leer created the Seabee "STINGER" system. STINGER stands for Seabee Tactical Installed Navy Generated Engineering Resource. This system helps quickly develop troops, construction, and resources during wartime.
In 1970, Van Leer was sent to Fegley Glacier. There, he led the nuclear research and power unit at McMurdo Station. This was part of Operation Deep Freeze, which is a mission in Antarctica. Van Leer also led the construction and opening of Naval Radio Transmitter Facility LaMoure. This facility uses a former OMEGA Navigation System station. It works as a VLF transmitter for communicating with U.S. submarines.
Family Life
In 1947, Blake Van Leer married Margaret A. Weaver. They had three children: Maryanne, Wayne, and Blake R. Van Leer II. All of their children later entered the engineering field.
Blake's family had many notable roles in the military and academics. His father was a well-known military officer and engineer. During his father's time at Georgia Tech, women were admitted for the first time. Steps were also made towards integration. His mother was in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and worked in research and development.
Blake's sister, Maryly Van Leer Peck, is also a notable American academic. She was the first woman to earn a master's and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. She worked as a lead rocket engineer at the United States Naval Research Laboratory. Maryly also received the National Community Service Award.
Both Blake and his sister are descendants of Samuel Van Leer, an American Revolutionary War Captain, and General Anthony Wayne. After he retired from the Navy, Blake Wayne Van Leer became the President and Corporate Administrator of Urban Pathfinders Inc.
