| Birth: | Jan. 4, 1950 | | Death: | Jul. 3, 1969 | 
Viet Nam Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above andbeyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Blanchfield distinguished himself while serving as arifleman 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 anearby 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, here gained 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 ofduty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army. Rank and organization: Specialist FourthClass, U.S. Army, Company A, 4th Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Place and date: Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 3 July 1969. Entered serviceat: Chicago, Illinois. Born: 4 January 1950, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Search Amazon for Michael Blanchfield | | | Burial:
All Saints Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum
Des Plaines
Cook County
Illinois, USA |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Dec 22, 2002
Find A Grave Memorial# 7028481 |
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