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By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Redwald H. Bleasdale (ASN: 544469), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Headquarters Company, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Private Bleasdale stood by his guns at Mezy, France, 15 July 1918, during the terrific bombardment, and remained until the gun pit was finally blown up. He withdrew his gun to another position and continued firing under heavy machine gun fire. He volunteered to go alone into a piece of woods believed to have been occupied by the Germans, to gain information as to who occupied the woods, at which time he, single-handed, killed several Germans in the woods and returned with an American soldier. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Regiment:

    30th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 15, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 32 (1919)

    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 Private Redwald Hector Bleasdale (ASN: 544469), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Mezy, France, 15 July 1918. Private Bleasdale remained with his gun during a heavy bombardment, until his gun pit was blown in, and then removed his gun to another position and continued the fire under heavy machine-gun fire. Later, in the same action, he volunteered and went to reconnoiter a small woods believed to be occupied by enemy troops. There he killed several Germans single-handed, and returned to our lines with an American soldier.