Vicente T. Blaz

Vincente Tomás Garrido Blaz (February 14, 1928 – January 8, 2014), also known as Ben Blaz, was a Chamorro United States Marine Corps Brigadier General from the United States territory of Guam. Blaz served in the Marine Corps from 1951 until July 1, 1980. Prior to his retirement, he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.

Blaz was elected the delegate to Congress from Guam in 1984 His siblings are Rosario Blaz Cruz, Maria Blaz, Emilia Blaz Rios, Alfred Gregorio G. Blaz, Joaquin G. Blaz, Patricia Blaz Borja and Frank G. Blaz. He was living on the island during the three years of Japanese occupation during World War II. During the occupation he was forced to work in labor battalions building aviation fields and planting rice.

In 1947, he was awarded a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame. He graduated in 1951 from Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science degree. He was a professor at the University of Guam, and was then elected as a Republican to the House in 1984.

Delegate, U.S. Congress

He ran for Congress in 1982 and came up short against political legend Antonio Borja Won Pat. Under the slogan "Right Man, Right Now," Blaz defeated Won Pat in a rematch in 1984. He went to Congress as a Republican freshman and he was elected President of his class. He joined the Armed Services, Resources and Foreign Affairs Committees where he quickly established a reputation for a strong national defense and a strong commitment to the political development of Guam and the surrounding region. He established strong relationships and demonstrated a rhetorical style that resonated for years.

In hearings on the status of Micronesia, he admonished the Bush administration representatives that "we are guardians, not guards of Micronesia." In response to a New York Times editorial supporting statehood for the District of Columbia, Blaz took the opportunity to explain Guam's situation. He ended his plea for dignity and recognition for Guam by stating "We are equal in war, but not in peace."

These words have been used by subsequent Delegates from Guam as well as the other territories whenever matters of political development are raised. In spite of misgivings and his effort to point out the realities of Washington politics, Blaz faithfully introduced the Guam Commonwealth bill twice and advanced the cause of the return of excess lands and war reparations. His successors built upon these efforts.

Blaz was the second Chamorro to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served on the Armed Services, the Interior and Insular Affairs Committees, and the Select Committee on Aging. During his first term, in the 99th United States Congress, he introduced legislation — the Veterans' Educational Assistance Act — to expand eligibility under the G.I. Bill.

Democrat Robert A. Underwood defeated Blaz in the November 1992 election. Blaz then retired to Ordot, Guam.

Death Blaz died on January 8, 2014, in Fairfax, Virginia, of acute respiratory failure, he was 85. He was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Awards and honors Blaz's military awards include:

Legion of MeritBronze Star w/ valor deviceNavy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ 1 award starCombat Action RibbonOffice of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification BadgeNavy Presidential Unit CitationNational Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service starKorean Service MedalVietnam Service Medal w/ 3 service starsVietnam Gallantry Cross w/ gold starVietnam Gallantry Cross unit citationUnited Nations Korea MedalVietnam Campaign Medal

In 1988, Blaz was honored by his alma mater, when the Notre Dame Alumni Association presented him with the Corby Award, which honors alumni who have distinguished themselves in military service.

Blaz is the namesake of Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, a military installation in Dededo that was activated in October 2020.