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SP.4 MICHAEL R. BLANCHFIELD MEDAL
OF HONOR
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Citation:
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For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Blanchfield distinguished himself while
serving as a rifleman in Company A on a combat patrol. The patrol surrounded a
group of houses to search for suspects. During the search of 1 of the huts, a
man suddenly ran out toward a nearby tree line. Sp4c. Blanchfield, who was on
guard outside the hut, saw the man, shouted for him to halt, and began firing at
him as the man ignored the warning and continued to run. The suspect suddenly
threw a grenade toward the hut and its occupants. Although the exploding grenade
severely wounded Sp4c. Blanchfield and several others, he regained his feet to
continue the pursuit of the enemy. The fleeing enemy threw a second grenade
which landed near Sp4c. Blanchfield and several members of his patrol. Instantly
realizing the danger, he shouted a warning to his comrades. Sp4c. Blanchfield
unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his safety, threw himself on the
grenade, absorbing the full and fatal impact of the explosion. By his gallant
action and self-sacrifice, he was able to save the lives and prevent injury to 4
members of the patrol and several Vietnamese civilians in the immediate area.
Sp4c. Blanchfield's extraordinary courage and gallantry at the cost of his life
above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of
the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the
U.S. Army.
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| Additional Data |
--- General / Personal ---
Last name: BLANCHFIELD First name: MICHAEL R Home of Record (official): ARLINGTON HEIGHTS State (official): IL Date of Birth: Wednesday, January 4, 1950 Sex: Male Race: Caucasian Marital Status: Single
--- Military ---
Branch: Army Rank: SP4 Serial Number: 318442519 Component: Regular Pay grade: E4 MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11B1P
--- Action ---
Start of Tour: Saturday, February 22, 1969 Date of Casualty: Thursday, July 3, 1969 Age at time of loss: 19 Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died Reason: Other explosive device (Ground casualty) Country: South VietNam Province: Binh Dinh The Wall: Panel 21W - Row 050 |
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