Erwin R. Bleckley-Lorraine, France
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 49° 19.884 E 005° 05.652
31U E 652151 N 5466406
World War I Medal of Honor Recipient for action in an Air Mission near Binarville, France on October 6, 1918. He was killed in action. He is buried in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Department de la Meuse, Lorraine France in Section F, Row 25, Grave 33.
Waymark Code: WMXC32
Location: Grand-Est, France
Date Posted: 12/24/2017
Views: 1
He was born on December 30, 1894 in Wichita, KS and died on October 6, 1918 in Binarville, Champagne-Ardenne, France. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *BLECKLEY, ERWIN R.
• Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 130th Field Artillery, observer 50th Aero Squadron, Air Service
• Place and date. Near Binarville, France, 6 October 1918 (Air Mission)
• Entered service at: Wichita, Kans.
• G.O. No.: 56, W.D., 1922
Citation: 2d Lt. Bleckley, with his pilot, 1st Lt. Harold E. Goettler, Air Service, left the airdrome late in the afternoon on their second trip to drop supplies to a battalion of the 77th Division, which had been cut off by the enemy in the Argonne Forest. Having been subjected on the first trip to violent fire from the enemy, they attempted on the second trip to come still lower in order to get the packages even more precisely on the designated spot. In the course of his mission the plane was brought down by enemy rifle and machinegun fire from the ground, resulting in fatal wounds to 2d Lt. Bleckley, who died before he could be taken to a hospital. In attempting and performing this mission 2d Lt. Bleckley showed the highest possible contempt of personal danger, devotion to duty, courage, and valor.
Armed Service: Air Force
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