David B. Bleak

Carried a wounded comrade to safety under attack

David Bruce Bleak earned the Medal of Honor as an Army medic near Minari-gol, Korea, on 14 June 1952. A sergeant with the Medical Company of the 2nd Battalion, 223rd Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division, he protected and evacuated wounded soldiers during a reconnaissance patrol.

Born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on 27 February 1932, Bleak served in the Korean War. His award was accredited to Shelley, Idaho.

The patrol came under heavy fire while climbing difficult terrain. Bleak treated casualties, fought enemy soldiers who obstructed his access to the wounded, and shielded a companion from a grenade blast. Although wounded himself, he carried another soldier downhill. When two opponents attacked during the evacuation, he overcame them and continued to safety.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower presented the Medal of Honor at the White House on 27 October 1953. Bleak died in Arco, Idaho, on 23 March 2006. He was cremated; Lost River Cemetery in Moore, Idaho, has an in-memory marker. His medal is held by the Idaho Military Historical Society.

Medal of Honor 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 two 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 two 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.