Francis Marlin Blackthorne

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Francis Marlin Blackthorne: A Life of Duty, Defiance, and Legacy Early Life & Freemasonry Roots (1910–1928) Born in 1910 in Charleston, South Carolina, Francis Marlin Blackthorne was raised in a household steeped in military tradition and Freemasonry. His father, Col. Everett Blackthorne, was a high-ranking Freemason and a U.S. Army officer who instilled in his son the values of discipline, honor, and service. From a young age, Francis was immersed in military history, Masonic philosophy, and leadership principles. Educated at Porter Military Academy, he excelled in academics, athletics, and leadership, demonstrating early signs of his strategic mind and fierce independence. His exposure to Freemasonry led to his initiation into the Order of DeMolay as a teenager, setting the foundation for a lifelong involvement in Masonic traditions. Naval Academy & Marine Corps Beginnings (1928–1935) At 18, Blackthorne was accepted into the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, where he studied engineering, military strategy, and aviation. He earned his pilot’s license in 1930, making him one of the few Marine officers of his era to be trained in both ground combat and aerial reconnaissance. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1932, he underwent rigorous training at Quantico before being stationed in Shanghai, China, with the 4th Marine Regiment, where he gained firsthand experience in urban combat and guerrilla warfare. Pre-WWII: Rising Through the Ranks & Advocacy for Integration (1935–1941) Returning to the U.S. in 1939, Blackthorne was involved in the early development of Marine Raider battalions, emphasizing small-unit tactics and amphibious warfare. During this period, he also became a vocal advocate for the integration of the Marine Corps, arguing that excluding Black servicemen was an insult to every American who had defended the country. This position put him at odds with several high-ranking officers, but he remained steadfast, frequently citing Freemasonry’s principles of brotherhood and equality in his arguments. World War II: Marine Raider & Legendary Commander (1941–1945) With the attack on Pearl Harbor, Blackthorne—by then a Major—was thrust into action, serving as a Marine Raider commander in the Pacific Theater. He participated in Guadalcanal, Tarawa, and Iwo Jima, earning a reputation for his fearlessness, tactical brilliance, and unwavering loyalty to his men. Promoted to Colonel in 1945, he played a critical role in shaping post-war Marine doctrine, particularly in counterinsurgency warfare and Marine air-ground coordination. Cold War, Korea & High Command (1945–1965) After WWII, Blackthorne continued to shape modern Marine Corps operations, serving as a key strategist in the Korean War (1950–1953). As a Brigadier General, he commanded Marine forces during the Inchon Landing and the brutal Chosin Reservoir Campaign. By 1955, now a Major General, he was heavily involved in intelligence operations, counterinsurgency training, and Cold War military strategy. He frequently clashed with politicians and Pentagon officials over what he saw as flawed military policies, especially regarding U.S. interventionism. Promoted to Four-Star General, he retired in 1965 with high honors but remained a towering figure in military circles. Vietnam, National Security Advisor & Anti-War Activism (1965–1975) Following his retirement, Blackthorne was appointed National Security Advisor to President Lyndon B. Johnson, but his opposition to deeper U.S. involvement in Vietnam soon made his position untenable. He resigned after a year, becoming one of the most high-profile critics of the war. Rather than retreating into obscurity, Blackthorne threw himself into the anti-war movement, becoming a powerful and paradoxical voice—a decorated Marine general who denounced the war while still wearing his full uniform at protests and speeches. Met Martin Luther King Jr. and discussed the civil rights and anti-war movements. Photographed with Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin smoking marijuana, a moment that stunned both the military and counterculture. Got into a fistfight with Black Panther members, though Stokely Carmichael reportedly respected him despite their ideological differences. Attended Woodstock (out of uniform) with his grandchild and four of her friends, accidentally stumbling into one of the largest cultural moments in history. He met Jimi Hendrix, and when organizers realized who he was, he and his group were given backstage access. A Pulitzer-winning photo of Blackthorne and Hendrix together remains one of the most iconic images of the era. A rumor persists that he was secretly given LSD, though he never confirmed or denied it. Politics, Think Tank, and Legacy (1975–1995) In 1975, Blackthorne founded a Colorado-based think tank known for bringing together military strategists, cultural icons, activists, and political leaders. Jane Kincaid Millet attended in 1979, 1982, 1986, and 1990, highlighting the group's intellectual and political diversity. Politically, Blackthorne was an unpredictable figure: Strongly supported Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale. Backed George H.W. Bush, whom he knew from WWII. Hated Nixon and Reagan, famously delivering a brutal speech against Reagan at the 1979 Democratic National Convention. Attended both Democratic and Republican Conventions through 1995, respected as an elder statesman, despite being a political outsider. In 1980, despite the U.S. Olympic boycott, he attended the opening ceremonies in Moscow, where he vehemently argued with Soviet leaders over the Afghanistan invasion. Final Years & Lasting Influence (1995–2000s) By the mid-1990s, Blackthorne remained an active speaker, mentor, and critic of U.S. foreign policy. His military legacy, Masonic brotherhood, and radical defiance of expectations made him one of the most complex and respected figures of his time. He passed away in the early 2000s, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy as a Marine warrior, Freemason, political firebrand, and cultural iconoclast. His personal writings, war journals, and letters to political and cultural figures are preserved at the Marine Corps University Library and the Smithsonian Institution.

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