Victor F. Bleasdale

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Victor F. Bleasdale, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism while serving with the 6th Machine-Gun Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action near Blanc Mont, France, October 8, 1918. On several occasions, regardless of his personal safety, First Lieutenant Bleasdale led his machine-gun platoon through heavy machine-gun and artillery fire. When the Infantry company which he was supporting was halted by the fire of two enemy Maxims, Lieutenant Bleasdale formed his platoon as infantry, assaulted and captured both the enemy guns.

The Navy Cross is presented to Victor F. Bleasdale, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism, coolness and excellent judgment while performing advance guard duty on 25 July 1927, in an important expedition into Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua, during the progress of an insurrection in that country. As the expedition approached San Fernando, Captain Bleasdale accompanied only by his orderly rode ahead into the town and on being attacked, fearlessly proceeded against tremendous odds and returning the fire held the enemy in check until the arrival of reinforcements. Largely through his prompt, courageous and effective action, serious casualties to the personnel and train of the expedition were averted.
Authority – USMC Communiqué: 085-1-3 ACE-jfb (21 December 1927)

The Navy Cross is presented to Victor F. Bleasdale, First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism while serving with the 6th Machine-Gun Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action near Blanc Mont, France, October 8, 1918. On several occasions, regardless of his personal safety, First Lieutenant Bleasdale led his machine-gun platoon through heavy machine-gun and artillery fire. When the Infantry company which he was supporting was halted by the fire of two enemy Maxims, Lieutenant Bleasdale formed his platoon as infantry, assaulted and captured both the enemy guns.