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NAME Freeman Bright Blair |
NICKNAME Bright |
SERVICE NUMBER 341404 |
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| UNIT Company D First Battalion 1st Marines |
HOME OF RECORD Route 1, Lewisburg, PA |
NEXT OF KIN Guardian, Mr. William Leitzel |
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| DATE OF BIRTH October 1, 1923 |
ENTERED SERVICE 12/30/1941 |
DATE OF LOSS August 21, 1942 |
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| REGION Solomon Islands |
CAMPAIGN / AREA Guadalcanal |
CASUALTY TYPE Killed In Action |
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| CIRCUMSTANCES OF LOSS
Private Freeman B. Blair served as a mortar gunner with D/1/1st Marines during the battle of Guadalcanal On 21 August 1942, they stowed their heavy weapons, picked up rifles, and set out to intercept the survivors of Colonel Kiyono Ichicki’s failed attack across the Tenaru River. The patrol, led by Platoon Sergeant Michael Longazel, were surprised by a group of Japanese soldiers sheltering in a trench, and Private Blair was shot in the side. He refused treatment until incapacitated by a second bullet through the shoulder. As the patrol attempted to evacuate its casualties, Blair was shot once again – this time through the head. Blair’s burial place is “unknown,” and it is possible that his body was not recovered from the field. |
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| INDIVIDUAL DECORATIONS Silver Star, Purple Heart |
LAST KNOWN RANK Private |
STATUS OF REMAINS Not recovered |
MEMORIALS Manila American Cemetery |
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Biography:
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The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private Freeman Bright Blair (MCSN: 341404), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a member of a patrol of Company D, First Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 21 August 1942. While engaged with several hostile patrols in the vicinity of the Tenaru River, Private Blair received a severe bullet wound in his side. Fighting on, despite intense pain and waning strength, he was eventually incapacitated by a bullet wound in his shoulder. While being carried to the rear for treatment of the second injury, he was struck in the head and killed by hostile fire. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
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