Redwald Bleasdale served in the United States Army during World War I. He would be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Second Battle of the Marne.
His award citation reads:
- The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Redwald H. Bleasdale (ASN: 544469), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, A.E.F., at Mezy, France, 15 July 1918. Private Bleasdale remained with his gun during a heavy bombardment, until his gun pit was blown in, and then removed his gun to another position and continued the fire under heavy machine-gun fire. Later, in the same action, he volunteered and went to reconnoiter a small woods believed to be occupied by enemy troops. There he killed several Germans single handed, and returned to our lines with an American soldier.
Bleasdale was born in Janesville, Wisconsin.[1] His brother, Victor, also received the Distinguished Service Cross during World War I. They are the first pair of brothers to receive the award.[2]