Vietnam War Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously (presented to his family) from President Richard M. Nixon at the White House for his actions as a specialist 4 with Company A, 4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade, US Army, on July 3, 1969, in Binh Dinh Province, South Vietnam. After joining the US Army in 1967, he was assigned to South Vietnam, and on that day, while on a search and destroy mission, he confronted a Viet Cong guirella, who threw two grenades at him and his fellow soldiers. He was injured by the first grenade, then smothered the second grenade with his body in order to save his fellow soldier's lives. He was also awarded the Purple Heart. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Blanchfield distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman in Company A on a combat patrol. The patrol surrounded a group of houses to search for suspects. During the search of 1 of the huts, a man suddenly ran out toward a nearby tree line. Sp4c. Blanchfield, who was on guard outside the hut, saw the man, shouted for him to halt, and began firing at him as the man ignored the warning and continued to run. The suspect suddenly threw a grenade toward the hut and its occupants. Although the exploding grenade severely wounded Sp4c. Blanchfield and several others, he regained his feet to continue the pursuit of the enemy. The fleeing enemy threw a second grenade which landed near Sp4c. Blanchfield and several members of his patrol. Instantly realizing the danger, he shouted a warning to his comrades. Sp4c. Blanchfield unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his safety, threw himself on the grenade, absorbing the full and fatal impact of the explosion. By his gallant action and self-sacrifice, he was able to save the lives and prevent injury to 4 members of the patrol and several Vietnamese civilians in the immediate area. Sp4c. Blanchfield's extraordinary courage and gallantry at the cost of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army."