Harold Blanchard

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harold Blanchard, Major, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action during the Meuse- Argonne offensive, October 7 – 21, 1918. During 14 days of severe fighting Major Blanchard was constantly on duty with his battalion, although suffering severely from bronchitis, the result of being gassed. He personally took command of a company, after all the officers had become casualties, and led them through a heavy artillery barrage and machine-gun fire, gaining his objective. Immediately after his battalion was relieved he collapsed from the severe strain.