Army 1st Sgt. John D. Blair, 38, of Calhoun, Ga.; was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, Army National Guard, Lawrenceville, Ga. He died June 20 in Mado Zayi, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle. His awards and badges include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, (2nd Award), Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (4th Award), National Defense Medal (3rd Award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal W/M Device (2nd Award), Non Commissioned Officers Professional and Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service and Nato Medal, Georgia Commendation Medal, Georgia Drug Task Force Medal, Georgia Special Operations Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge. His training included the United States Army Infantryman Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Woodland Operations Instructor Course, Analytical Investigation Techniques Course, Counter Drug Task Force Course, National Guard Bureau SA Mission Primary Manager Course, Total Army Instructor Training Course, Small Group Leader Training Course, Basic Narcotic Investigation Course, Bradley Gunner's Course Phase One and Two, and the Long Range Ground Surveillance Specialist Certification Course Phase One and Two. During his local service with the National Guard's counter-drug operations, John served as a reserve deputy sheriff from October, 2006 until December, 2008, when his National Guard unit was mobilized for duty in Afghanistan. He was an extraordinarily skilled operative, specializing in covert drug-enforcement surveillance. During his time in the Sheriff's Office, John served as a jail officer, deputy sheriff, & sheriff's detective. He also served on the Office's honor guard, & SWAT team. His former superiors described him as an exemplary officer. He was officially commended on a number of occasions during his law enforcement service here. John remained very close friends with members of the Sheriff's Office, and officers communicated with him by telephone & email in the days & weeks preceding his death.