- SURNAME
Blair
- FORENAME
Melvin Russell
- UNIT
HQ Detachment
- RANK
First Lieutenant
- NUMBER
0-33150
- AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star
- PLACE
Burma 1944
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Abilene, Kansas
born 11.11.1915 Topeka, Kansas
son of James Evans (1890-1973) and Lela Mae (nee Doty) Blair (1894-1974)
entered service 30.11.1934
209 Cavalry Regiment (10 Cavalry Division)
Merrill's Marauders 1944
124 Cavalry Regiment 1945
Staff of General McArthur
Pentagon 1948
24 Infantry Regiment (C.O. 3 Bn) (Major) (awarded D.S.C. oak leaf cluster 1950)
New York Military Academy (instructor)
retired as Lieutenant Colonel
awards D.S.C. with oak leaf cluster, Silver Star, Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart with 2 oak leaf clusters, Air Medal
married Ruth Marie Sutton (1917-2011) (2 sons Dennis and Victor)
last residence Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York
died 19.4.2008 Cornwall, New York
Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia Section 59 Site 3069-1
CITATION:
Distinguished Service Cross : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Melvin Russell Blair (ASN: 0-33150), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Task Force Galahad, 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), in action against enemy forces on 13 and 16 June 1944, in the vicinity of ***** in North Burma. On 13 June 1944, when the combat patrol which he was leading was pinned down by enemy machine gun fire, Lieutenant Blair alone crawled across the trail under enemy machine gun fire to the rear of the enemy position and silenced the gun by killing the crew with his carbine. Again on 16 June 1944, when members of his patrol were wounded by enemy fire, Lieutenant Blair crawled out to the wounded men under enemy machine gun and rifle fire and personally brought back two wounded men. Lieutenant Blair's complete disregard of enemy fire and his great personal courage and able leadership reflect the highest credit on the Armed Forces of the United States.
Distinguished Service Cross (Oak Leaf Cluster) (Korean War) : The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Infantry) Melvin Russell Blair, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Major Blair distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Haman, Korea, on 14 and 15 September 1950. On 14 September 1950, when one of his companies lost all but one of its officers, Major Blair, realizing the need for inspiring leadership, joined the hard-hit unit. From 1400 until 0800 the following morning he inspired the men of the company to new determinations by his many heroic and courageous acts. He led one platoon in a successful counterattack upon its old position and then covered its withdrawal when the position became untenable. Organizing a perimeter of defense with forty to fifty men, Major Blain inspired them by word and deed to hold this position despite four banzai attacks by over four hundred enemy troops until almost all of their ammunition had been expended. He covered the disengagement of the company with six men during which action he was ambushed and wounded in the leg; yet he supported the covering party to fight their way out of the ambush. By staying with the covering party despite his wounds and the intense enemy fire, Major Blain assured that the main body and the wounded were able to withdraw safely. The sight of the battalion commander facing death with them constantly inspired the reluctant to stay and fight with new found determination. The extraordinary heroism of Major Blair reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.
Silver Star (Korean War) : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), [then Major] Melvin Russell Blair (ASN: 0-33150), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action on 19 September 1950 near Naman, Korea. On that date, an attack by numerically superior forces necessitated withdrawal of certain friendly troops. Although wounded during the initial attack, Lieutenant Colonel Blair moved forward to establish a base of fire to cover displacement of the lead elements to establish a new effective defense line. by his selfless devotion to duty and notable valor and military skill, Lieutenant Colonel Blair made it possible for the battalion to contain the attack. His actions reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army.
Distinguished Service Cross (Oak Leaf Cluster) (Korean War) : The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Infantry) Melvin Russell Blair, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Major Blair distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Haman, Korea, on 14 and 15 September 1950. On 14 September 1950, when one of his companies lost all but one of its officers, Major Blair, realizing the need for inspiring leadership, joined the hard-hit unit. From 1400 until 0800 the following morning he inspired the men of the company to new determinations by his many heroic and courageous acts. He led one platoon in a successful counterattack upon its old position and then covered its withdrawal when the position became untenable. Organizing a perimeter of defense with forty to fifty men, Major Blain inspired them by word and deed to hold this position despite four banzai attacks by over four hundred enemy troops until almost all of their ammunition had been expended. He covered the disengagement of the company with six men during which action he was ambushed and wounded in the leg; yet he supported the covering party to fight their way out of the ambush. By staying with the covering party despite his wounds and the intense enemy fire, Major Blain assured that the main body and the wounded were able to withdraw safely. The sight of the battalion commander facing death with them constantly inspired the reluctant to stay and fight with new found determination. The extraordinary heroism of Major Blair reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.
Silver Star (Korean War) : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), [then Major] Melvin Russell Blair (ASN: 0-33150), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer, 3d Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in action on 19 September 1950 near Naman, Korea. On that date, an attack by numerically superior forces necessitated withdrawal of certain friendly troops. Although wounded during the initial attack, Lieutenant Colonel Blair moved forward to establish a base of fire to cover displacement of the lead elements to establish a new effective defense line. by his selfless devotion to duty and notable valor and military skill, Lieutenant Colonel Blair made it possible for the battalion to contain the attack. His actions reflect great credit on himself and the United States Army.
WEB LINKS:
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/7097FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49123557/melvin-russell-blair
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