27 Oct 2021 Garand Picture of the Day - David Bruce Bleak MOH

[Mark in Rochester]

MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION
General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 83 (November 2, 1953)
Action Date: 14-Jun-52; Service: Army; Rank: Sergeant; Company: Medical Company
Battalion: 2d Battalion; Regiment: 223d Infantry Regiment; Division: 40th Infantry Division

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant David Bruce Bleak, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Medical Company, 2d Battalion, 223d Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Minari-gol, Korea, on 14 June 1952. As a Medical Aidman, Sergeant Bleak volunteered to accompany a reconnaissance patrol committed to engage the enemy and capture a prisoner for interrogation. Forging up the rugged slope of the key terrain, the group was subjected to intense automatic weapons and small arms fire and suffered several casualties. After administering to the wounded, he continued to advance with the patrol. Nearing the military crest of the hill, while attempting to cross the fire-swept area to attend the wounded, he came under hostile fire from a small group of the enemy concealed in a trench. Entering the trench he closed with the enemy, killed two with bare hands and a third with his trench knife. Moving from the emplacement, he saw a concussion grenade fall in front of a companion and, quickly shifting his position, shielded the man from the impact of the blast. Later, while ministering to the wounded, he was struck by a hostile bullet but, despite the wound, he undertook to evacuate a wounded comrade. As he moved down the hill with his heavy burden, he was attacked by two enemy soldiers with fixed bayonets. Closing with the aggressors, he grabbed them and smacked their heads together, then carried his helpless comrade down the hill to safety. Sergeant Bleak's dauntless courage and intrepid actions reflect utmost credit upon himself and are in keeping with the honored traditions of the military service.

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