Eugene Blair

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Eugene Blair (2655751), Chief Machinist’s Mate, U.S. Navy, for gallantry in combat and courageous devotion to duty as a member of the After Repair Party attached to the U.S.S. WILLIAM B. PRESTON (AVD-7), during a surprise aerial bombing attack by enemy Japanese forces at Darwin, Australia, on 19 February 1942. Despite the rapidity with which the attack developed and the very obvious danger of being trapped by an explosion, Chief Machinist’s Mate Blair in company with a shipmate, went immediately below decks and had just completed closing all doors and hatches when a bomb hitting within a few feet of him caused his death. Because of his courage and efficiency in the performance of this hazardous task, the flooding of the ship following the bombing attack was confined to two compartments.