He earned the Silver Star and later died from wounds from separate combat activities. I'd appreciate it if you would add his SS citation and a newspaper article I found that talks about one of the two heroic acts that earned him the medal. His brother, John Melville Blundell was killed during the battle of Midway on 4 Jun 1942. His heroism earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. I manage his memorial page and will now link the two brothers. Thanks for your help. Gerry (G47) Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan) – 24 Mar 1945, Sat – p. 5.
Detroit Hero – Risks Own Life to Save Marine How a former Detroit boy risked his life on Iwo Jima to save a badly wounded fellow Marine was told in a dispatch from a Marine combat correspondent. The hero is Sgt. Robert W. Blundell, 22, of 2921 Bewick. He attended Southeastern High School. Near the Central Motoyama airfield Blundell, a machine gun section leader with the Ninth Marines, was directing fire from two machine guns when suddenly he noticed a wounded Marine straggling between the Marine and Jap lines. Blundell went after the wounded man, carrying him back in his arms as his gunners diverted the enemy’s heavy fire.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert W. Blundell
Place of Birth: Michigan, Detroit
Home of record: Fort Wayne Indiana
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Robert W. Blundell (MCSN: 312123), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gun Section Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 26 February and 6 March 1945. Voluntarily advancing alone about one hundred yards to the side of a wounded Marine lying in an exposed position between our lines and the enemy, Sergeant Blundell braved hostile rifle and machine gun fire to drag the helpless man to safety. After the Platoon Leader and all of the non-commissioned officer of an assault rifle platoon had become casualties on 6 March, he assumed command and led it efficiently in a night attack on heavily-fortified enemy positions. By his courageous leadership, Sergeant Blundell enabled the platoon to hold the ground gained despite numerous casualties suffered until orders to withdraw were given. His courageous leadership and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 51256
Action Date: February 26 & March 6, 1945
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Sergeant
Company: Company F
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Regiment: 9th Marines
Detroit Hero – Risks Own Life to Save Marine How a former Detroit boy risked his life on Iwo Jima to save a badly wounded fellow Marine was told in a dispatch from a Marine combat correspondent. The hero is Sgt. Robert W. Blundell, 22, of 2921 Bewick. He attended Southeastern High School. Near the Central Motoyama airfield Blundell, a machine gun section leader with the Ninth Marines, was directing fire from two machine guns when suddenly he noticed a wounded Marine straggling between the Marine and Jap lines. Blundell went after the wounded man, carrying him back in his arms as his gunners diverted the enemy’s heavy fire.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert W. Blundell
Place of Birth: Michigan, Detroit
Home of record: Fort Wayne Indiana
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Robert W. Blundell (MCSN: 312123), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gun Section Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 26 February and 6 March 1945. Voluntarily advancing alone about one hundred yards to the side of a wounded Marine lying in an exposed position between our lines and the enemy, Sergeant Blundell braved hostile rifle and machine gun fire to drag the helpless man to safety. After the Platoon Leader and all of the non-commissioned officer of an assault rifle platoon had become casualties on 6 March, he assumed command and led it efficiently in a night attack on heavily-fortified enemy positions. By his courageous leadership, Sergeant Blundell enabled the platoon to hold the ground gained despite numerous casualties suffered until orders to withdraw were given. His courageous leadership and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 51256
Action Date: February 26 & March 6, 1945
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Sergeant
Company: Company F
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Regiment: 9th Marines
He earned the Silver Star and later died from wounds from separate combat activities. I'd appreciate it if you would add his SS citation and a newspaper article I found that talks about one of the two heroic acts that earned him the medal. His brother, John Melville Blundell was killed during the battle of Midway on 4 Jun 1942. His heroism earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. I manage his memorial page and will now link the two brothers. Thanks for your help. Gerry (G47) Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan) – 24 Mar 1945, Sat – p. 5.
Detroit Hero – Risks Own Life to Save Marine How a former Detroit boy risked his life on Iwo Jima to save a badly wounded fellow Marine was told in a dispatch from a Marine combat correspondent. The hero is Sgt. Robert W. Blundell, 22, of 2921 Bewick. He attended Southeastern High School. Near the Central Motoyama airfield Blundell, a machine gun section leader with the Ninth Marines, was directing fire from two machine guns when suddenly he noticed a wounded Marine straggling between the Marine and Jap lines. Blundell went after the wounded man, carrying him back in his arms as his gunners diverted the enemy’s heavy fire.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert W. Blundell
Place of Birth: Michigan, Detroit
Home of record: Fort Wayne Indiana
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Robert W. Blundell (MCSN: 312123), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gun Section Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 26 February and 6 March 1945. Voluntarily advancing alone about one hundred yards to the side of a wounded Marine lying in an exposed position between our lines and the enemy, Sergeant Blundell braved hostile rifle and machine gun fire to drag the helpless man to safety. After the Platoon Leader and all of the non-commissioned officer of an assault rifle platoon had become casualties on 6 March, he assumed command and led it efficiently in a night attack on heavily-fortified enemy positions. By his courageous leadership, Sergeant Blundell enabled the platoon to hold the ground gained despite numerous casualties suffered until orders to withdraw were given. His courageous leadership and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 51256
Action Date: February 26 & March 6, 1945
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Sergeant
Company: Company F
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Regiment: 9th Marines
Detroit Hero – Risks Own Life to Save Marine How a former Detroit boy risked his life on Iwo Jima to save a badly wounded fellow Marine was told in a dispatch from a Marine combat correspondent. The hero is Sgt. Robert W. Blundell, 22, of 2921 Bewick. He attended Southeastern High School. Near the Central Motoyama airfield Blundell, a machine gun section leader with the Ninth Marines, was directing fire from two machine guns when suddenly he noticed a wounded Marine straggling between the Marine and Jap lines. Blundell went after the wounded man, carrying him back in his arms as his gunners diverted the enemy’s heavy fire.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert W. Blundell
Place of Birth: Michigan, Detroit
Home of record: Fort Wayne Indiana
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Robert W. Blundell (MCSN: 312123), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Machine Gun Section Leader of Company F, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 26 February and 6 March 1945. Voluntarily advancing alone about one hundred yards to the side of a wounded Marine lying in an exposed position between our lines and the enemy, Sergeant Blundell braved hostile rifle and machine gun fire to drag the helpless man to safety. After the Platoon Leader and all of the non-commissioned officer of an assault rifle platoon had become casualties on 6 March, he assumed command and led it efficiently in a night attack on heavily-fortified enemy positions. By his courageous leadership, Sergeant Blundell enabled the platoon to hold the ground gained despite numerous casualties suffered until orders to withdraw were given. His courageous leadership and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 51256
Action Date: February 26 & March 6, 1945
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Sergeant
Company: Company F
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Regiment: 9th Marines
Gravesite Details
MC United States Marine Corps
Family Members
Other Records
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
