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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Frank Sloan Blair, III (MCSN: 0-92681), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 21 September 1967, during Operation KINGFISHER, First Lieutenant Blair was leading his company in a battalion size search and destroy mission near Con Thien in Quang Tri Province when it suddenly came under heavy artillery and mortar attack and intense small arms and automatic weapons fire from well concealed and heavily fortified enemy positions. Reacting immediately, he completely disregarded his own safety as he boldly exposed himself to the hostile fire to pinpoint the Viet Cong positions. Displaying outstanding leadership and tactics, he skillfully deployed his men to covered positions and directed their sustained fire against the enemy. Observing an adjacent unit aggressively advancing to assault the Viet Cong flank, he fearlessly moved through the fire swept zone to a vantage point where he could coordinate and direct his unit’s covering fire in support of the attacking force. His courageous and decisive leadership inspired his men, enabling them to fight their way out of their pinned down position and maneuver to the night defensive perimeter. Despite the efforts of the numerically superior enemy force to divide the battalion, the integrity of the unit was maintained in large measure due to Lieutenant Blair’s daring initiative, courage and resolute determination. His heroic efforts undoubtedly prevented numerous casualties in both his company and adjacent units. By his dynamic leadership, outstanding professional skill and unswerving devotion to duty at great personal risk, First Lieutenant Blair upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    4th Marines

    Division:

    3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    October 14, 1967

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Frank Sloan Blair, III (MCSN: 0-92681), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Early on the morning of 14 October 1967, during Operation KINGFISHER, First Lieutenant Blair’s battalion was manning a defensive perimeter to protect a vital bridge on the main supply route to Con Thien when it suddenly came under a heavy North Vietnamese artillery, rocket and mortar attack and sustained numerous casualties. When the bombardment lifted, enemy troops launched several probes against the perimeter, delivering intense small arms and automatic weapons fire. In a fanatical assault with hand grenades and satchel charges, the North Vietnamese penetrated the defensive perimeter, moved through one of the company’s positions and took control of a commanding piece of terrain within the perimeter. When informed of the situation, First Lieutenant Blair ensured that his company was deployed in strong defensive positions to repel any hostile attack and then, displaying superior leadership and tactics, quickly organized a thirty-man reaction force and skillfully maneuvered them in an enveloping movement that concealed their approach from the enemy. Making full use of the element of surprise, he directed a heavy volume of fire against the North Vietnamese troops on the high ground and courageously led his force in an aggressive assault in the face of intense hostile fire, routing the enemy and inflicting heavy North Vietnamese losses. His prompt and fearless actions were instrumental in repulsing the enemy attempt to overrun the battalion perimeter and destroy the bridge, contributing materially to the accomplishment of the unit’s mission. By his outstanding professional skill, courageous leadership and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, First Lieutenant Blair upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.