David B. Bleak

David Bruce Bleak
Sergeant Bleak in his Army uniform
Born	February 27, 1932(1932-02-27) Idaho Falls, Idaho
Died	March 23, 2006(2006-03-23) (aged 74) Arco, Idaho
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1950 - 1953
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	223d Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	Korean War
Awards	Medal of Honor Purple Heart

David Bruce Bleak (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2006) 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.

Post-war life

After the war he lived in Wyoming 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.

Awards and decorations

Sergeant Bleak's awards include:

•   Medal of Honor

•   Purple Heart

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 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:

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 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 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.^[1]

See also

	Biography portal
	United States Army portal

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients

Notes

1. ^ *""DAVID B. BLEAK" entry". Medal of Honor recipients: Korean War. CMH, U.S Army. June 8, 2009. http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/koreanwar.html. Retrieved 2007-12-30. 

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.

• "David B. Bleak". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=13777484. Retrieved December 9, 2007. 
• ""DAVID B. BLEAK" entry". Medal of Honor recipients: Korean War. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/koreanwar.html. Retrieved 2007-12-30. 

• Bernstein, Adam (March 27, 2006). "Soldier David Bleak; Won Medal of Honor". Washington Post Staff: p. B05. 

Persondata
Name	Bleak, David B.
Alternative names
Short description	United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
Date of birth	February 27, 1932
Place of birth	Idaho Falls, Idaho
Date of death	March 23, 2006
Place of death	Arco, Idaho