Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Lieutenant General Arthur Charles Blades, United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Blades reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
5th MarinesDivision:
1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMFAction Date:
August 10, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Arthur Charles Blades (MCSN: 0-90430), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Commander with the First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam, on 10 August 1966. In the vicinity of Tam Ky, First Lieutenant Blades’ platoon was acting as the right flank guard for the Battalion formation. While crossing an open rice paddy area, the platoon was ambushed by automatic weapons fire from a tree line surrounding a nearby village. First Lieutenant Blades received a painful wound in the early moments of the firefight, but ignored it and proceeded to rally his men for an assault. He frequently exposed himself to the heavy fire in order to organize the platoon. He maneuvered his men to within closing distance of the enemy and led the charge on the well-entrenched Viet Cong. Picking up a rifle from a wounded Marine, First Lieutenant Blades single-handedly attacked the trench line. Using the rifle and hand grenades, he killed several of the enemy and destroyed their positions. His fearless actions were an inspiration to the men who served with him and contributed directly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his exemplary leadership, extraordinary devotion to duty and valiant efforts throughout, First Lieutenant Blades upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Arthur Charles Blades (MCSN: 0-90430), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 (HMM-364Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
July 27, 1970
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Arthur Charles Blades (MCSN: 0-90430), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 27 July 1970, Captain Blades launched a Section Leader of a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency ladder extraction of a Marine reconnaissance team which had sustained two casualties while heavily engaged in combat with a hostile force in a densely-jungled mountainous area south of DaNang. Arriving over the designated area, he was informed that the beleaguered patrol was located in a small ravine surrounded by tall trees. Un- daunted by the lack of supporting aircraft to provide covering fire and the intensity of the enemy automatic weapons fire directed at his helicopter, Captain Blades boldly maneuvered his transport to a hover above a small opening in the dense jungle canopy and fearlessly remained in his precarious position while the ladder was being lowered to the ground. Despite the temporary malfunction of the communication system between the cockpit and the cabin, hostile rounds which penetrated the cockpit, a ramp whose controls became inoperable, and the need to lower his helicopter down among the trees in order for the ladder to reach the Marines, he resolutely maneuvered his aircraft until it was at a level which the ladder could touch the ground. Although his aft rotor blades struck a tree, causing intense vibration, Captain Blades skillfully manipulate his controls to maintain a hover until the vibration stopped and until all members of the reconnaissance team had attached themselves to the ladder. Ignoring the heavy volume of enemy fire, he expertly lifted out of the dangerous area and proceeded to Landing Zone Ross where he safely lowered the Marines to the ground. Captain Blades’ courage, superior airmanship, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were instrumental in accomplishing the hazardous mission and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.