THE WALL OF FACES

LANCE CORPORAL

STEPHEN BLANN


-- SQUAD LEADER --

COMPANY " E "

3rd PLATOON

2nd BATTALION

9th MARINES

3rd MARINE DIVISION


was a posthumous recipient of the


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NAVY CROSS ~ ~ ~ ~ ~




~ ~ ~ SEMPER FIDELIS ~ ~ ~




YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE



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CITATION

FOR AWARD OF THE


NAVY CROSS


TO


LANCE CORPORAL

STEPHEN BLANN



For extraordinary heroism as a squad leader with the

Third Platoon, Company " E ", Second Battalion,

Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division against North

Vietnamese Army forces in Quang Tri Province,

Republic of Vietnam. On 16 February 1969,

Company " E " was attacking south along an

enemy road with the Third Platoon providing

rear security. Intermittent sniper fire had been

received throughout the day.. In the afternoon

the company halted to conduct a reconnaissance

of a large area and to secure a stream - crossing

site before continuing its movement. As the lead

elements resumed the attack, Lance Corporal Blann

observed a number of enemy troops flanking the

company in an attempt to attack from the rear.

Without hesitation he deployed his squad to counter

the enemy's movement as the sporadic sniper fire

increased to a heavy volume of small - arms and

automatic weapons fire. Lance Corporal Blann

immediately evaluated the situation and manoeuvered

his squad with great professional skill into an

assault position against the encircling enemy as one

of his men was immediately wounded. Noticing the

seriousness of the man's wounds and hearing his painful

cry for help, Lance Corporal Blann, while under an

intense volume of fire and disregarding his own personal

safety, moved into the open area to the wounded man.

Shouting encouragement to his squad and continuing

to direct the attack upon the enemy, Lance Corporal

Blann shielded the wounded man with his own body by

kneeling in front of him in line with the enemy fire.

While trying to administer first aid and move the man

to a safer position, Lance Corporal Blann was mortally

wounded. By his extraordinary heroism and selfless

devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Blann saved the life

of his fellow Marine and upheld the highest traditions

of the United States Marine Corps and the United States

Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.