David B. Bleak
Encyclopedia
David Bruce Bleak was an Idaho native who enlisted in the Army in 1950. During his service in the Korean War he engaged in hand-to-hand combat for which he received the Medal of Honor
. His actions saved the life of at least one of his comrades. He was presented the Medal of Honor by President Eisenhower
in October 1953.
and held various jobs, including rancher, butcher and truck driver. He eventually became a janitor at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, where he worked his way up until his retirement in the mid-1990s as chief hot cell technician (one who disposes of spent nuclear fuel rods
). For a time from the mid-70s to mid-80s, he spent time as a dairy farmer in Moore, Idaho
. His hobbies included rock polishing
.
He died March 23, 2006 from emphysema
, Parkinson's Disease
, and complications from a hip fracture
. He died the same day as another Medal of Honor recipient, Desmond Doss
.
David Bleak was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
, Medical Company 223d Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Vicinity of Minari-gol, Korea
, June 14, 1952.
Entered service at: Shelley, Idaho
.
Born: February 27, 1932, Idaho Falls, Idaho.
G.O. No.: 83, November 2, 1953.
Citation:
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
. His actions saved the life of at least one of his comrades. He was presented the Medal of Honor by President Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
in October 1953.
Post-war life
After the war he lived in WyomingWyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
and held various jobs, including rancher, butcher and truck driver. He eventually became a janitor at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, where he worked his way up until his retirement in the mid-1990s as chief hot cell technician (one who disposes of spent nuclear fuel rods
Radioactive waste
Radioactive wastes are wastes that contain radioactive material. Radioactive wastes are usually by-products of nuclear power generation and other applications of nuclear fission or nuclear technology, such as research and medicine...
). For a time from the mid-70s to mid-80s, he spent time as a dairy farmer in Moore, Idaho
Moore, Idaho
Moore is a city in Butte County, Idaho, United States. The population was 196 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Moore is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
. His hobbies included rock polishing
Rock polishing
Rock polishing is a lapidary process whereby rough stone is polished and smoothed using simple machines to produce attractive stones. The most common means is tumble polishing, but there is also vibratory finishing....
.
He died March 23, 2006 from emphysema
Emphysema
Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary...
, Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
, and complications from a hip fracture
Hip fracture
A hip fracture is a femoral fracture that occurs in the proximal end of the femur , near the hip.The term "hip fracture" is commonly used to refer to four different fracture patterns and is often due to osteoporosis; in the vast majority of cases, a hip fracture is a fragility fracture due to a...
. He died the same day as another Medal of Honor recipient, Desmond Doss
Desmond Doss
Desmond Thomas Doss was the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor and one of only three so honored . He was a Corporal in the U.S...
.
David Bleak was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Awards and decorations
Sergeant Bleak's awards include:
Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
Purple HeartPurple HeartThe Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, Medical Company 223d Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Vicinity of Minari-gol, Korea
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, June 14, 1952.
Entered service at: Shelley, Idaho
Shelley, Idaho
Shelley is a city in Bingham County, Idaho, United States. The population was 3,813 at the 2000 census. The mascot for the city's high school is "King Russet", a russet-burbank potato that wears a crown, robe and scepter....
.
Born: February 27, 1932, Idaho Falls, Idaho.
G.O. No.: 83, November 2, 1953.
Citation:
Sgt. Bleak, a member of the medical company, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. As a medical aidman, he 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 crestMilitary crestMilitary crest is a term in military science that refers to, "An area on the forward or reverse slope of a hill or ridge just below the topographical crest from which maximum observation and direct fire covering the slope down to the base of the hill or ridge can be obtained."The military crest is...
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 2 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 2 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. Sgt. Bleak's dauntless courage and intrepid actions reflect utmost credit upon himself and are in keeping with the honored traditions of the military service.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients