Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Dean
Blanchard

John Blanchard graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1925.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Action Date:

    April 22, 1941 – January 31, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel John Dean Blanchard (MCSN: 0-3976), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Officer-in-Charge of the Ordnance Supply Division, Quartermaster Department, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, between 22 April 1941 and 31 January 1944. Colonel Blanchard organized, amalgamated and expanded the military and civilian elements of the Ordnance Division throughout the United States and in Marine Corps establishments overseas into a smoothly operating organization, providing adequate expansion of storage, depots and maintenance facilities to support the expanding Marine Corps. The soundness of his foresight, judgment and expansion of Ordnance activities was reflected in the fact that all Marine Corps activities received sufficient ordnance equipment and ammunition to successfully complete their mission. Colonel Blanchard continuously worked in close harmony with and to the mutual benefit of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps in the overall requirements, procurement, supply and maintenance of similar items of ordnance material used by all branches of the armed forces. In this position, Colonel Blanchard demonstrated rare technical knowledge, drive and professional ability, and handled the work of the Ordnance Division with such skill and boldness as to contribute greatly to the success of the war effort, all of which was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant

    Regiment:

    1st Provisional Brigade of Marines (Gendarmerie d’Haiti)

    Action Date:

    December 6, 1929
    Authority – USMC CommuniquŽ: 03976-1-3 (16 April 1930)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Second Lieutenant John Dean Blanchard (MCSN: 0-3976), United States Marine Corps, for distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving with the First Provisional Brigade of Marines (Gendarmerie d’Haiti) on the afternoon of 6 December 1929, while in command of a patrol composed of one Marine Gunner and twenty men of the U.S. Marine Corps serving with the Gendarmerie d’Haiti at the junction of the Grand Ravine and Grand Route de Torbeck, about one mile from the city of Aux Cayes. The patrol made contact with a mob of about 1,500 hostile Haitians armed with knives, machetes and coomacaques that was advancing on the city of Aux Cayes with the intention of entering the city to rob, burn and kill. The patrol advanced in an effort to peaceably disperse the mob which divided into four bodies, the main body facing the patrol about 175 yards distant and smaller bodies taking up positions in cane fields on each flank and in the rear of the patrol. When it was seen that persuasion was of no avail and that the mob was preparing to attack the patrol, a short burst of fire was directed at the main body while the can fields on the flanks were swept. This effective fire immediately broke up the threatened attack and caused the mob to disperse. Lieutenant Blanchard displayed commendable courage and forbearance in attempting to disperse the mob by peaceful means and, when the necessity arose, exhibited laudable presence of mind and leadership in promptly taking effective measures to quell the up-rising and save the lives of his patrol. The action of Lieutenant Blanchard undoubtedly prevented the sacking of the city of Aux Cayes and the pillage, fire and murder that would have followed.