Private Blackley was a member of Company A, 811th Engineer Aviation Construction Battalion. On 17 August 1952, he attempted to jump on the running board of a moving truck at Youngdung-po, Korea, slipped and fell under its wheels. He was taken to the 121st Evacuation Hospital where he died.

Blackley was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.