Skip to content

Dennis F Blalock


World War II

D

ennis F. Blalock left school at University of Texas (Austin) following the Spring 1941 term and enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 9, 1941. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and entered active duty on September 30, 1942. During World War II, Dennis served as a unit commander with the 36th Division 'T-Patchers' (infantry), where he saw extensive action in the European Theater and was wounded three times (Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters). He was awarded a Silver Star (GO 73 Headquarters 36th Division 45) for gallantry in action during the Rapido River conflict in January 1944, and a Bronze Star for heroic action during the routing of a Nazi garrison to liberate 800 Jewish prisoners from a subcamp of the Dachau concentration camp system near Haguenau, France, in March 1945. Dennis was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern campaign medal with battle stars for Rome-Arno, Rhineland, Naples-Foggia, Central Europe, and Southern France, and a bronze arrowhead for Operation Dragoon. He was also awarded the American Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, and Army of Occupation Medal. Dennis served as a Town Major in Occupied Germany following the war, and was finally discharged from active duty on March 31, 1946. He continued to serve his country in the U.S. Army Reserve, receiving the National Defense Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal before retiring as a colonel.

Birth- Dec 22, 1917
New Roads, Pointe Coupee, Louisiana

1775 - 2099Other Service

Conflict Period
Other Service
Branch
Army Reserve
Rank
Colonel
Served For
United States of America

1939 - 1945World War II- Ages: 28 - 25 years

Conflict Period
World War II
Rank
End of WWII - Captain. At retirement - Colonel.
Service End Date
Mar 31, 1946
Service Number
01294966
Service Start Date
Sep 30, 1942
Reissued
Originally enlisted on 9 Jul 1941 at Jacksonville AAF (Service #34079156). Uncertain why Dennis received a new service number upon appointment to OCS.
Branch
Army
Campaign Medals
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with battle stars for Rome-Arno, Rhineland, Naples-Foggia, Central Europe, Southern France and bronze arrowhead for Operation Dragoon. American Campaign Medal.
Awards
SILVER STAR GO 73 Headquarters 36th Division 45, Bronze Star, Purple Heart plus 2 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Additional Service Medals
Also awarded American Defense Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, American Defense Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal.

Enlistment

Fort Benning, Georgia

1939 - 1945World War II- Ages: 25 - 24 years

Service Number
34079156
Service End Date
Sep 30, 1942
Branch
Army
Appointment to OCS
Discharged as Tech 4th Gr; Reappointed as 2nd Lietenant
Rank
Tech 4th Gr.
Conflict Period
World War II
Served For
United States of America
Enlistment- Jul 9, 1941-Age: 24 years
Jacksonville AAF Florida
Death- Sep 24, 1995-Age: 78 years
Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge, Louisiana

1 Source·1 other

Full Name
Dennis F Blalock
Residence Prior to Service
Alexandria, Rapides, Louisiana
Level of Education
After WWII - Four years of college
Marital Status
During WWII - Single, no dependents
Level of Education
During WWII - One year of college
Marital Status
After WWII - Married Thelma R. Stanborough, two children

Owner:EveyBl_TomBl
Owner contributions only

Created:Mar 15, 2014

Modified: Jun 23, 2021

View Count: 2,857(Recent: 1)

Fold3, Dennis F Blalock (https://www.fold3.com/memorial/641166987/dennis-f-blalock : accessed Oct 5, 2024), database and images,


Looking for more information on Dennis F Blalock?

Find more records