He was admitted to the United States Naval Academy in 1863 and graduated in 1868. Notable achievements include: in 1879 as a Lieutenant, he commanded the survey of the Madeira River, in the Amazon.

And was the Executive Officer, on board the USS Charleston during the Capture of Guam to the United States during the Spanish–American War in 1898.

And served successively in the Pacific squadron on board the USS Kearsarge in 1869,[2] Enterprise, and Adams.

[5] Archived 2010-12-07 at the Wayback Machine In 1906, the Illinois was the first US ship to win the famous Prince Louis Battenberg Cup 1906-09; Member Naval Examining and Retiring Boards.

1909; Retired to 1192 Locust St., Dubuque, Iowa [7] Admiral Blocklinger was a companion of the District of Columbia Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.