Jefferson J. DeBlanc
| Jefferson Joseph DeBlanc | |
|---|---|
 
Medal of Honor recipient & World War II flying ace
|
|
| Born |
February 15, 1921 Lockport, Louisiana |
| Died | November 22, 2007 (aged 86) Lafayette, Louisiana |
| Place of burial | Saint Michael's Cemetery Saint Martinville, Louisiana |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy United States Marine Corps
|
| Years of service | 1941–1942 (U.S.Navy) 1942–1945 (USMC) 1945–1972 (USMCR) |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | VMA-112 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Medal of Honor Distinguished Flying Cross Purple Heart Air Medal (5) |
| Other work | Teacher - math and physics |
Jefferson Joseph DeBlanc (February 15, 1921 – November 22, 2007) was a World War II Marine Corps fighter pilot and ace — shooting down nine Japanese aircraft during two tours of duty in the Pacific at Guadalcanal and Okinawa. On January 31, 1943, despite mechanical problems with his aircraft, he pressed forward with a mission and shot down five Japanese aircraft in minutes before being shot down himself. DeBlanc parachuted to safety and was rescued by native islanders, traded for a sack of rice, and picked up by a Navy seaplane. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions that day. He served in the Marine Corps Reserve until 1972. In that time, he also taught school and completed graduate and doctoral degrees in math, physics and education.
DeBlanc enlisted in the Naval Reserve (USNR) as a seaman second class on 29 July 1941, and received flight training at the Naval Reserve Aviation Base in New Orleans, for two weeks, before going to the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas, to continue his training. His Naval enlistment was terminated under honorable conditions on 15 October, and he was appointed an Aviation Cadet, USNR, on the following day. DeBlanc was one of approximately 24,500 Cajun G.I.s to serve during World War II.
Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve on 4 May 1942, DeBlanc moved to San Diego to join Headquarters Squadron, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. In July, he was assigned to the Advance Carrier Training Group, where he remained under instruction until 6 August.
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