US Army General. In 1894 he graduated from East Florida Seminary (now the University of Florida). He became active in the lumber business, and he later worked in banking and mining. In 1895 he enlisted in the Florida National Guard. He served in the Spanish-American War, and in 1899 he was commissioned as a Captain. As a Colonel he commanded the 2nd Florida Infantry Regiment during its 1916 Mexican border service. During World War I Blanding was promoted to Brigadier General and commanded the 53rd Brigade, 27th Division, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal. In 1924 he was promoted to Major General and commander of the 31st Infantry Division. In 1936 he was appointed Chief of the National Guard Bureau, carrying out this assignment while continuing to command his division, and serving until his 1940 retirement. At his retirement Blanding received a state promotion to Lieutenant General from Florida's Governor to recognize his years of commendable service. During the Great Depression and pre-World War II years Blanding played a key role in obtaining political and financial support to prepare the National Guard in advance of the war. During World War II Blanding was the Military Advisor to Florida's Governor. After World War II he was an advocate for the establishment of the Everglades National Park. Camp Blanding, Florida, a World War II training site that is now a National Guard readiness facility, was named in his honor.
US Army General. In 1894 he graduated from East Florida Seminary (now the University of Florida). He became active in the lumber business, and he later worked in banking and mining. In 1895 he enlisted in the Florida National Guard. He served in the Spanish-American War, and in 1899 he was commissioned as a Captain. As a Colonel he commanded the 2nd Florida Infantry Regiment during its 1916 Mexican border service. During World War I Blanding was promoted to Brigadier General and commanded the 53rd Brigade, 27th Division, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal. In 1924 he was promoted to Major General and commander of the 31st Infantry Division. In 1936 he was appointed Chief of the National Guard Bureau, carrying out this assignment while continuing to command his division, and serving until his 1940 retirement. At his retirement Blanding received a state promotion to Lieutenant General from Florida's Governor to recognize his years of commendable service. During the Great Depression and pre-World War II years Blanding played a key role in obtaining political and financial support to prepare the National Guard in advance of the war. During World War II Blanding was the Military Advisor to Florida's Governor. After World War II he was an advocate for the establishment of the Everglades National Park. Camp Blanding, Florida, a World War II training site that is now a National Guard readiness facility, was named in his honor.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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