Mike Blassie was born on April 4, 1948, in St. Louis, Missouri. He entered the U.S. Air Force Academy on June 27, 1966, and was commissioned a 2d Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force on June 3, 1970. Lt Blassie next attended Undergraduate Pilot Training with the 3650th Student Squadron at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, from August 1970 to August 1971, followed by A-37 Dragonfly upgrade training at England AFB, Louisiana, from August 1971 to January 1972. He then served as an A-37B pilot with the 8th Special Operations Squadron at Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam, from January 1972 until he was Killed in Action during a combat mission on May 11, 1972. Lt Blassie's remains were recovered on November 2, 1972, but were not positively identified at the time, and were later used for the service member from the Vietnam War in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in 1984. His remains were exhumed from the Tomb on May 14, 1998, and were identified as Lt Michael J. Blassie through DNA on June 30, 1998. He was then reburied at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis County, Missouri, on July 11, 1998.

His Silver Star Citation reads:

First Lieutenant Michael J. Blassie distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force at An Loc, Republic of Vietnam, on 11 May 1972. On that date, Lieutenant Blassie flew in support of allied forces that were defending the town of An Loc and in grave danger of being overrun by a large hostile force supported by a multitude of heavy weaponry. Flying through intense antiaircraft fire with complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Blassie attacked gun sites in extremely close proximity of the friendly positions and, despite taking numerous direct hits from the antiaircraft fire, delivered his ordnance precisely on target. The dedication of Lieutenant Blassie was instrumental in helping the friendly forces to maintain their positions and successfully defend the town. By his gallantry and devotion to duty in the dedication of his service to his country, Lieutenant Blassie has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.