Memorial

More information

Henry Blanchard's first years of school were at Chica-Mauga, Georgia, near Fort Oglethorpe. Georgia, and Chattanooga, Tennessee. From there he was transferred to Lieliehua School, Wahiawa, Hawaii. It was there his sense of racial tolerance began to develop. After three years he enrolled in the Graded School of Carlisle, Pennsylvania and graduated six years later from the Carlisle High School. He served as class president, member of the chorus, Dramatic Club, French Club, Debating Society and was awarded the American Legion Medal for scholastic standing and best all around boy for his class. At Carlisle he developed his talent for debating, being the captain of the team when it represented the Carlisle High School in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Forensic League. After his high school graduation in 1935 Henry entered the C.M.T.C. at Fort Meade, Maryland, not being eligible for promotion to Corporal, because it was his first year. Henry showed his capacity and ability for leadership by being selected and serving during the period of training as “acting sergeant”. Having to leave C.M.T.C. two days before the camp closed to go to New York to sail for Hawaii lost for him an award for which he was chosen. He entered the University of Hawaii, in Honolulu, as a freshman.

Captain Blanchard, graduate of West Point military academy, had been overseas 19 months, participating in the Tunisian and Sicilian campaigns, being transferred to England to make ready for the invasion just prior to the invasion of Italy. He was acting signal officer for some time prior to D-day and took the lead in arranging plans for the work of the signal corps during and immediately after the invasion operations.

Four jeeps, in one of which Capt Blanchard was riding, were ambushed and came under cross-fire of a German unit.

Capt Blanchard was first buried in a temporary grave at the Temporary American Military Cemetery at St. Mêre Eglise #1 in France. He was disinterred on 23 March 1948 and his remains were prepared and placed in a transfer box on 29 March 1948. He was given his final resting place at Ardennes Cemetery on 4 May 1950.