Jefferson J. DeBlanc

He shielded his bombers and fought on despite dwindling fuel

Jefferson Joseph DeBlanc was born on February 15, 1921, in Lockport, Louisiana. He flew with Marine Fighting Squadron 112, Marine Air Group 11, 1st Marine Air Wing, during World War II.

On January 31, 1943, near Kolombangara Island in the Solomon Islands, he led six fighters escorting American dive bombers against Japanese ships. He fought enemy fighters at altitude, then descended to break up attacks by floatplanes on the bombers. After the bombers withdrew safely, he continued fighting despite dwindling fuel. His citation credits him with destroying five enemy aircraft. His damaged fighter was eventually set on fire, forcing him to parachute into enemy waters.

President Harry S. Truman presented his Medal of Honor at the White House on December 6, 1946. DeBlanc later reached the rank of colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve and retired on July 1, 1972. After the war, he earned degrees in physics, mathematics and education and taught in St. Martin Parish schools for many years. He died in Lafayette, Louisiana, on November 22, 2007, and was buried in St. Michael Cemetery there. His award commemorates the protection he gave American aircrews during a dangerous escort mission.

Official Medal of Honor citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a section of six fighter planes in Marine Fighting Squadron 112, during aerial operations against enemy Japanese forces off Kolombangara Island in the Solomon group, 31 January 1943. Taking off with his section as escort for a strike force of dive bombers ordered to attack Japanese surface vessels, 1st Lt. DeBlanc led his flight directly to the target area where, at 14,000 feet, our strike force encountered a large number of Japanese Zeros protecting the enemy's surface craft. In company with the other fighters, 1st Lt. DeBlanc instantly engaged the hostile planes and aggressively countered their repeated attempts to drive off our bombers, persevering in his efforts to protect the diving planes and waging fierce combat until, picking up a call for assistance from the dive bombers, under attack by enemy float planes at 1,000 feet, he broke off his engagement with the Zeros, plunged into the formation of float planes and disrupted the savage attack, enabling our dive bombers to complete their runs on the Japanese surface disposition and withdraw without further incident. Although his escort mission was fulfilled upon the safe retirement of the bombers, 1st Lt. DeBlanc courageously remained on the scene despite a rapidly diminishing fuel supply and, boldly challenging the enemy's superior number of float planes, fought a valiant battle against terrific odds, seizing the tactical advantage and striking repeatedly to destroy three of the hostile aircraft (two float planes and one Zero) and to disperse the remainder. Prepared to maneuver his damaged plane back to base, he had climbed aloft and set his course when he discovered two Zeros closing in behind. Undaunted, he opened fire and blasted both Zeros from the sky in a short, bitterly fought action which resulted in such hopeless damage to his own plane that other Zeros entering the fight set his aircraft on fire forcing him to bail out over enemy waters between Vella Lavella and enemy-held Kolombangara. A gallant officer, a superb airman, and an indomitable fighter, 1st Lt. DeBlanc had rendered decisive assistance during a critical stage of operations, and his unwavering fortitude in the face of overwhelming opposition reflects the highest credit upon himself and adds new luster to the traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.