Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Hugh
Blanchard
February 6, 1916

–

May 31, 1966

Born:

Boston

, 

Massachusetts

Home:

Chelsea

, 

Massachusetts

Buried: 

Colorado Springs

, 

Colorado

Cemetery:

U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery

William Blanchard graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1938. After serving as a bomber pilot in the Army Air Forces in World War II where he earned a Silver Star and two Distinguished Flying Crosses, he transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. From 1965 to 1966 he served as the 9th Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force. He retired in 1966 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    40th Bombardment Wing

    Division:

    20th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) William Hugh Blanchard, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer, 40th Bombardment Wing, TWENTIETH Air Force, in the Mariana Islands during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    40th Bombardment Wing

    Division:

    20th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 20th Air Force, General Orders No. 58 (September 9, 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Air Corps) William Hugh Blanchard (ASN: 0-21223), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a Bomber Pilot and as Commanding Officer of a B-29 Superfortress Bomber of the 40th Bombardment Wing, TWENTIETH Air Force, in the Mariana Islands, in 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Blanchard, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    40th Bombardment Wing

    Division:

    20th Air Force

    Action Date:

    1945
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) William Hugh Blanchard, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 40th Bombardment Wing, TWENTIETH Air Force, in the Mariana Islands, in 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Blanchard his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Division:

    Strategic Air Command

    Action Date:

    1953 – 1957
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General William Hugh Blanchard, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with Headquarters, Strategic Air Command, from 1953 to 1957. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Blanchard and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Regiment:

    Headquarters

    Division:

    U.S. Air Force

    Action Date:

    1961 – 1963
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Lieutenant General William Hugh Blanchard (ASN: 0-21223), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Inspector General, Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, from 1961 to 1963. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Blanchard and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Regiment:

    7th Air Division

    Division:

    Strategic Air Command

    Action Date:

    1957 – 1960
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General William Hugh Blanchard, United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 7th Air Division, Strategic Air Command, from 1957 to 1960. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Blanchard and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    40th Bombardment Wing

    Division:

    20th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) William Hugh Blanchard, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer, 40th Bombardment Wing, TWENTIETH Air Force, in the Mariana Islands during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.