Steven Blanchard

"Doc" Steven L. Blanchard, United States Navy 1967 to 1973 served with the III Marine Amphibious Force, 1st Combined Action Group in Vietnam from December 1968 through Jan 1970.
"Doc" Blanchard served with Combined Action Platoon 1-3-1 in the Quang Ngai District just south of Chu Lai from September 1969 until January 1970. His exploits with CAP 1-3-1 are legendary among the villagers of Le Thuy to this day. Blanchard developed such a reputation among the locals that a reward was posted by the Viet Cong for his death or capture.
One of the most persistent stories of Blanchard's heroics is that of his saving the life of a 4 year old boy. The Marines had entered a clearing while on patrol and were pinned down by heavy enemy gunfire. The Marine platoon commander began plotting artillery and air strikes directly onto the Marine's position. A young boy emerged from the village and was caught in a crossfire between the Marines and the Viet Cong. Doc Blanchard laid down his rifle, slowly approached the child and picked him up. He then called out toward the enemy position for someone to come get him.
Shortly, a young woman emerged and took the child from Doc's arms. Doc then slowly walked back to the Marine's position. Not another shot was fired by either side and the Marine patrol returned to base unharmed.
This added by Marine_Vet:
Not long after the above incident, I was hit 7 times while on watch at night on the perimeter of CAP 1-3-1. I remember telling doc that I was going to die. And he kept saying to me that I would not so long as he was still alive. He patched me up and carried me on his back away from all of the gunfire. He then called in a chopper to get me out of there.
My daughter is a graduate student at the University of Michigan. Her thesis is about true heroes and Doc Blanchard is the center of her topic.

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