Howard Blazzard
Howard Chadwick Blazzard (September 8, 1919 – August 23, 2007) was a World War II and Vietnam War veteran. He is buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
Biography
Early life
Born in Saint Johns, Arizona, Blazzard attended Northern Arizona University where he played football and was part of the ROTC program.
Military career
Pre World War Two
Due to the activation of American military forces, Blazzard was called up and entered the United States Army as a sergeant in September 1940, among the first to participate in OCS. In September 1941 he joined the 4th Infantry Division, 22nd Infantry Regiment.
World War Two
Early 1944, Blazzard was stationed in England preparing for the invasion of Europe. He participated in the D-Day invasion at Utah Beach, landing with the 4th Infantry Division, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Company "M". Their battalion worked to capture the beachside fortifications in the days following the landing in France. On June 7, Blazzard was shot through both legs, but continued to fight, earning his first Purple Heart. On June 10, he assumed command of "L" Company when its former commander, Captain Edward Gatto, was killed.
Blazzard played a crucial role in the capture of Cherbourg, where his company secured the Cherbourg Airfield near Gonneville. In the following days, he rode in a jeep with his radio operator, displaying a white flag, to negotiate German surrender. During the discussions, Blazzard emphasized their complete encirclement. Over 900 soldiers surrendered the next morning to his, by then, significantly reduced company. For these actions, he received the Bronze Star and Silver Star.
When the Allies entered Paris, Blazzard was part of the initial units, accompanied by Ernest Hemingway and Charles de Gaulle. Soon after entering Paris, Blazzard was part of an operation crossing the Canal de la Sambre. He identified the only remaining crossing, an abandoned rail trestle, and led his unit across the bridge under fire, ultimately capturing a V2 rocket base. For this, he was awarded a Silver Star.
In mid-September 1944, as part of the initial units pushing through the Siegfried Line, Blazzard observed that their assault was faltering. He and his commander, Charles T. Lanham, rallied their troops. During the renewed assault, Blazzard was wounded by a German Panzerfaust. He crawled to a nearby tank destroyer, ordered a return fire on the bunker, and refused evacuation. He advanced on the fortification, tossed several grenades inside, and captured the bunker and its occupants. This earned him his fifth Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross.[1]
Post War Political Career
After returning to Arizona from the war, Blazzard became the Assistant Secretary of State of Arizona. He actively supported World War II veterans and met with Harry Truman. During this time, he also managed a real estate business, until returning to the Army in 1946.
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Return to the Army
Returning to the Army, Blazzard served as a Battalion Commander with the 2nd Armored Division. In December 1946, he was assigned as an Infantry Instructor/Advisor in Venezuela, providing military advice to the newly established democratic government following the El Trienio Adeco. He served there until June 1950.
References
External links
- https://www.geni.com/people/Howard-Blazzard/6000000019284015581
- https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/6444
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72473859/howard-chadwick-blazzard
- http://1-22infantry.org/history2/colliers.htm
This article "Howard Blazzard" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Howard Blazzard. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
- 1919 births
- 2007 deaths
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- United States Army personnel of World War II
- United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War
- Operation Overlord people
- Burials at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
- People from Apache County, Arizona
- Northern Arizona University alumni
- United States Army colonels
