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Medal of Honor recipient Army SP4 Michael Reinert Blanchfield
Congressional Medal of Honor
Episode 2813 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Army Sp4 Michael Reinert Blanchfield and his Congressional Medal of Honor award. The featured story appeared on the History Net website and was titled: Michael R. Blanchfield. This article appeared on Wikipedia and was submitted by an anonymous writer.
In the story it was reported that: Michael Reinert Blanchfield was born on January 4, 1950 and died on July 3, 1969. He served as a United States Army soldier and was a recipient of the United States military’s highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.
During a search and destroy operation in Binh Dinh Province, Blanchfield confronted a Viet Cong militant, who threw two grenades at him and his fellow soldiers. After being injured by the first grenade, Blanchfield threw himself on the second grenade and saved his fellow soldier’s lives.
Blanchfield joined the Army from Chicago, Illinois in 1967, and by July 3, 1969, was serving as a Specialist Four in Company A, 4th Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. On that day, in Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, Blanchfield smothered the blast of a hand grenade with his body, sacrificing himself to protect those around him. Blanchfield, aged 19 at his death, was buried in All Saints Cemetery at Des Plaines, Illinois.
Portions of Blanchfield’s Medal of Honor citation stated: By his gallant action and self-sacrifice, he was able to save the lives and prevent injury to four members of the patrol and several Vietnamese civilians in the immediate area. 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.
Listen to episode 2813 and discover more about Army Sp4 Michael Reinert Blanchfield and his Congressional Medal of Honor award.
