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 Captain (Infantry) Benjamin Abner Blackmer, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 October 1944, near Brouvelieures, France. When his company was attacked by a strong enemy force, Captain Blackmer immediately proceeded to the most threatened points. There, despite heavy enemy fire, he moved among his men, encouraging them to repel the attack. Then, encountering a strongly contested defense line, Captain Blackmer led an assault against the hostile positions. When a machine gun temporarily stopped the advance of his company, he crawled forward and destroyed the three members of the enemy crew with his M-1 rifle. Then, finding the enemy well-entrenched in the company objective, Captain Blackmer crawled to within close range of another machine gun position and, throwing a hand grenade into the enemy emplacement, destroyed both the gun and its crew. Captain Blackmer’s courageous conduct was largely responsible for his company’s successful defense against fierce enemy counterattack and the subsequent capture by the company of its objective.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
180th Infantry RegimentDivision:
45th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
February 17 – 18, 1944
Headquarters, 45th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 112 (1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Benjamin A. Blackmer, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy at the Anzio Beachhead, on 17 – 18 February 1944. Assuming command of a rifle company during a heavy enemy attack, Lieutenant Blackmer, upon joining the unit, found the situation critical. Both flanks were exposed and the enemy was established in the rear of the position. Lieutenant Blackmer immediately organized his company for a determined defense, and led them in driving off the enemy assaults. By his personal example under fire and by going about his unit offering encouragement and exercising sound leadership, he inspired his men to hold their position against great odds. When he received an order to readjust his lines, he led his men in a vigorous rearguard action, which was fought in waist-deep water, and successfully brought his men to the new position. The gallantry, leadership and determined fighting spirit demonstrated by Lieutenant Blackmer are in keeping with the Army of the United States
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
180th Infantry RegimentDivision:
45th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 45th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 29 (1943)(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 Captain (Infantry) Benjamin A. Blackmer, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in North Africa, in 1943. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, 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.