Blankenship, Robert C.

Date of birth:: April 13th, 1921 (Porterdale/Georgia, United States)
Date of death:: August 13th, 1970 (DeRidder/Louisiana, United States)
Service number:: 0-1822346
Nationality:: American

Biography

Robert Cleveland Blankenship was born on 13 April 1921 in Porterdale-Newton County, Georgia, the United States of America. As third kid of six he grew up there, with his two elder sisters and three younger brothers. After graduation from high school, he went to college and finished first grade. It is unclear why he stopped his college education. On April 7th 1941, when he was twenty years old, he joined the US Army, in the state of Georgia. In 1942 he was stationed at Camp Claiborne, which was a tent camp in Central Louisiana. Sometime later he joined the paratroopers and after finishing his para-training, he was transferred to the 3rd Battalion of 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division ‘All American’. He became platoon leader of the 1st platoon, Company I.
On 17 September 1944 he landed with his unit near Overasselt in the Netherlands, during Operation Market Garden. The following days his unit (3rd Battalion, 504th PIR), moved north towards the river Waal. In the meantime, his Battalion CO, Major Julian A. Cook, had received the order from General James Gavin to cross the river Waal west of Nijmegen by canvas boats on 20 September 1944. First Lieutenant Robert Blankenship’s 1st platoon, Company I, took part in the first wave of boats that crossed the river. He was in the first boat to land on the northern bank and eliminated a German machine gun position that was pinning down his unit on the riverbank. Then he neutralized an enemy sniper. First Lieutenant, together with two troopers, then destroyed an anti-air gun (FLAK) with hand grenades. He was rewarded a Silver Star for these actions. He also received the highest decoration granted by the Government of Holland to a foreigner, which was the induction into the Military Order of the Knights of William.
After Operation Market Garden, First Lieutenant Blankenship fought in the Belgian Ardennes, where his regiment (504th) amongst others stopped the German advance in the vicinity of Trois-Ponts. After the German defeat at the end of the Battle of the Bulge, Blankenship, with his unit, went into Germany. Next to his Dutch knighthood, he reportedly was rewarded in total with: two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, five Purple Hearts and a number of campaign medals.
At the end of World War 2 Robert stayed behind in Germany together with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and was part of the occupation forces in Berlin. For the rest of 1945 his regiment conducted police tasks in the destructed former capital of Adolf Hitler. In January 1946 his regiment returned to the United States and shortly after their homecoming festivities he left the US Army. He settled in Alexandria, Louisiana and married in 1946 with Eulalie Mary ‘Lee’ Sutherland. They got one son and two daughters. Meanwhile, he kept busy serving the community. In 1951 he was selected ‘Man of the Year’ in Alexandria. In that same year, he was chosen ‘Citizen of the Year’ in Rapides Parish. From 1962 until July 1970 Robert was mayor of the city DeRidder in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana. In 1968 he was chosen as ‘Mayor of the Year’ in the state of Louisiana. In 1970 he was owner of Auto Parts Service. On 13th August 1970 he suddenly died of a heart attack. He was buried at the Beauregard Cemetery, DeRidder, Beauregard Parish, Louisiana, in the Mausoleum.
On September 18th, 2019 the Orange Lanyard, belonging to the Dutch Order of William awarded to the 82nd Airborne Division, was presented to the son of Robert Blankenship.

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US Army Parachute Badge

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: 1st Lieutenant
Unit:: I-Company, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division 'All American'

Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: 1st Lieutenant
Unit:: Company I, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: December 20th, 1944
Awarded for:: Operation Market Garden

"For gallantry in action on 20 September 1944, near ****, Holland. As platoon leader in Company I, 3d Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, First Lieutenant Blankenship crossed the Waal River in the first boat of the assault wave during the daring daylight operation designed to establish **** Bridgehead. As follow-up boats were preparing to land, an enemy machine gun on the left flank opened up, wounding several men and pinning the larger landing force down. First Lieutenant Blankenship unhesitatingly, by crawling and moving by leaps and bounds, moved across 100 yards of open terrain until within 50 yards of the machine gun, whereupon he killed the four-man crew with rifle fire. First Lieutenant Blankenship suddenly observed a concealed enemy sniper only five yards from his position firing on his scout. Since he had no time to reload his then empty rifle, First Lieutenant Blankenship tackled the German and knocked him out with his fists. First Lieutenant Blankenship then led two of his men within fifteen yards of a flak wagon which they proceeded to neutralize with hand grenades. The courage, outstanding leadership, and unselfish actions displayed by First Lieutenant Blankenship throughout the entire action reflect great credit on himself and the Army he served."

Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 66

Ridder vierde klasse der Militaire Willems Orde (MWO.4)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: 1st Lieutenant (Lieutenant)
Unit:: Company I, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: October 8th, 1945
Awarded for:: Operation Market Garden

For having distinguished himself by performing excellent acts of courage, conduct and loyalty during the fighting by the 82nd Airborne Division in the area of the city of NIJMEGEN between September 17th and October 4th, 1944. Thereby having displayed repetitiously outstanding devotion to duty and great perseverance and in all respects having set a praiseworthy example and having been an inspiration to all during those gloriousc days.

Royal Decree dated October 8th, 1945 Nr. 31