Paul P. Blackburn Jr.; Led 7th Fleet During Vietnam War

Paul P. Blackburn Jr., 83, a retired Navy vice admiral who briefly commanded the 7th Fleet during the Vietnam War. His forces mounted a major bombing attack against North Vietnam in September, 1965, to allow Marines to land near Da Nang. Blackburn had taken over the 7th Fleet in March, 1965, but was forced to leave Vietnam because of illness and was replaced late that year. He was chief of staff of the U.S. Strike Command from 1966 to 1968. He retired in 1969. During World War II, Blackburn served in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. In Hilton Head, S.C., on Wednesday of cancer.