Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Blanton
Winship
November 23, 1869

–

October 9, 1947

Cemetery:

Rose Hill Cemetery

The first judge advocate in command during combat operations was Colonel Blanton Winship, who commanded the 110th and 118th Infantry Regiments of the 28th Division while simultaneously serving as Judge Advocate for the 1st Army in France in 1918. Although a number of Army officers who have been awarded the DSC later served as judge advocates, only Colonel Winship received the DSC while serving as an Army lawyer. Along with being the first judge advocate to receive the DSC, Colonel Winship was the first judge advocate to receive the Silver Star.

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    110th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    World War I
    War Department, General Orders No. 19 (1920)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Infantry) Blanton Winship, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. Colonel Winship served with distinction as Judge Advocate of the 42d Division and of the 1st Army. As Commanding Officer of the 110th Infantry, 28th Division, he displayed marked qualities of leadership. Later, as Judge Advocate of the Services of Supply, and as Chief of Rents, Requisitions, and Claims Service, he displayed professional attainments and judgment of a high order, contributing, in no small degree, to the success of the operations during the war and afterwards in the liquidation of our affairs in France.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    110th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 28, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 3 (1922)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Colonel (Infantry) Blanton Winship, United States Army, is cited for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Colonel Winship distinguished himself by gallantry in action near Villers-sur-Fere, France, on 28 July 1918. As a staff officer he volunteered his services with a regiment of Infantry during a surprise attack. He returned twice from the regimental post of command to the brigade post of command along a shell-swept road and later remained at the regimental post of command in the open under heavy shell, machine gun and airplane fire until recalled to his corps headquarters. His trained and gallant action was of great help to the regimental commander.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    110th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 9, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 9 (1923)

    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 Colonel (Infantry) Blanton Winship, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while Commanding the 110th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Lachaussee, France, 9 November 1918. While commanding his regiment and observing from his outpost line the progress of a daylight raid on the enemy by a detachment of his officers and men, Colonel Winship discovered the enemy enveloping the right flank of the raiding party. Hastily collecting and organizing a small party from the few available men, he, regardless of his own safety, personally led them forward under heavy rifle, machine-gun, and shell fire, and covered the exposed flank, advancing over a deep tank obstruction and through enemy wire to their second line, destroying several machine guns and killing many of the enemy. His prompt and fearless action enabled the main raiding party to accomplish its mission, and his personal conduct was a great inspiration to his officers and men and contributed largely to the success of the raid.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    110th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 9, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 8 (March 1, 1920)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Colonel (Infantry) Blanton Winship, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Colonel (Infantry) Winship distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Commanding Officer, 110th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Thiaucourt, France, 9 November 1918, in organizing a small party to assist a patrol that was attacked by a superior force.