Lieutenant Blackford was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter with Fighter Squadron 152 aboard the USS Princeton (CV-37). On 26 July 1953 while on a reconnaissance mission over enemy territory, his aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

For his leadership and valor, Lieutenant Blackford was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 3 Gold Stars, the Navy Commendation Ribbon, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.