GREEN BERETS Blackard, Donald D.

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Blackard
  • FORENAME
Donald D.
  • UNIT
7 SF Group (Company B)
  • RANK
Sergeant First Class
  • NUMBER
  • AWARD
Silver Star
  • PLACE
North Vietnam 1970 (Son Tay)
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 

CITATION:

Silver Star : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Donald D. Blackard, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 21 November 1970 as a member of an all-volunteer joint U.S. Army and Air Force raiding force in the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed heliborne assault mission to rescue United States military personnel held as prisoners of war at Son Tay prison in North Vietnam. This valiant effort was motivated by deep compassion for his imprisoned fellow men-at-arms, and by a strong sense of military duty and national pride. A member of Sergeant Blackard's element came under deadly small arms fire and was pinned down while trying to place a Claymore mine. With total disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Blackard assaulted the enemy position and neutralized the enemy fire, thus saving the life of his comrade. When Sergeant Blackard's element was ordered to pull back, he calmly and effectively covered their withdrawal by firing his M-16 rifle. Sergeant Blackard's extraordinary bravery enabled his element to accomplish its assigned mission without a single casualty. Sergeant Blackard's daring skill, extraordinary heroism against an armed hostile force, and extreme devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army.

WEB LINKS:

https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/24110
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