Solving the Mystery of the Vietnam Unknown Soldier

Podcast Links

Keith Johanson’s Journey In this compelling episode of Life Mosaic, Weezy welcomes Keith Johanson, a devoted advocate for POWs and MIAs through Rolling Thunder and a seasoned machinist engineer.

Keith shares his poignant journey from working in his father’s machine shop to an unexpected military career that ended abruptly due to an injury. His story dives deep into the bureaucratic mishap that led to Lieutenant Michael Joseph Blassie’s remains being mistakenly interred at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a narrative he passionately recounts to ensure the truth is known. Keith’s dedication to preserving the memories and stories of forgotten soldiers is inspiring and crucial, making this episode a must-listen for those keen on military history and the unvarnished truth.

00:00 Introduction to Today’s Guest: Keith Johanson

01:12 Keith’s Early Life and Military Service

03:06 Post-Navy Career and Teaching

06:51 Advocacy and Rolling Thunder

07:40 The Story of the Unknown Soldier

21:56 The Transformation of Michael Joseph Lashey

22:28 The Separation of Identity and Evidence

23:39 The Selection of the Unknown Soldiers

25:26 The Burial of X

26 28:24 The Revelation and DNA Testing

29:30 The Unheard Story and Media Distraction

34:47 The Final Resting Place and Legacy