Victor Bleasdale

Victor France Bleasdale
Born	December 2, 1895 Norsewood, New Zealand
Died	February 10, 1984 (aged 88) London, United Kingdom
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Rank	Brigadier General
Service number	0-85
Commands held	29th Marine Regiment
Battles/wars	World War I Battle of Belleau Wood Battle of Soissons Battle of Saint-Mihiel Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge Nicaraguan Campaign Battle of San Fernando World War II Guadalcanal Campaign Battle of Okinawa
Awards	Navy Cross (2) Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star (2) Purple Heart

Victor France Bleasdale (December 2, 1895 - February 10, 1984) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of Brigadier General. He was awarded the Navy Cross and Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge in World War I, later he would receive a second Navy Cross for his service at the Battle of San Fernando during the Second Nicaraguan Campaign.

Biography

Bleasdale was born in Norsewood, New Zealand. His official residence was listed as Janesville, Wisconsin.^[1] Bleasdale's brother, Redwald, also received the Distinguished Service Cross during World War I. They are the first pair of brothers to receive the award.^[2]

Citations

Distinguished Service Cross citation

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 First Lieutenant Victor F. Bleasdale (MCSN: 0-85), United States Marine Corps, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism while serving with the Sixth Machine-Gun Battalion, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near Blanc Mont, France, 8 October 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.

First Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Victor F. Bleasdale (MCSN: 0-85), United States 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, 8 October 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.

Second Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Captain Victor F. Bleasdale (MCSN: 0-85), United States 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.

References