The last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient in Louisiana, Marine pilot, Colonel (Ret.) Jefferson DeBlanc, passed away a week ago. From his 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 6 fighter planes in Marine Fighting Squadron 112, during aerial operations against enemy Japanese forces off Kolombangara Island in the Solomons group, 31 January 1943.

DeBlanc led fighters escorting bombers to Japanese targets in the Guadalcanal Campaign. Here is Col. DeBlanc telling his story with simulation on the History Channel. (5:02min)

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There you have it. He’s worth a 10# sack of rice. Col. DeBlanc served a second tour in the South Pacific before returning home to Louisiana. Back home, he completed his education including a PhD and became a school teacher. Another ordinary American who does the extraordinary.

The neat part of all this is I can show my son Col. DeBlanc’s story in a first person account with just a few clicks. For more details and teaching resources go to Millard Fillmore’s Bathtub.

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