Colonel Jefferson J. DeBlanc
U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), Marine Fighting Squadron 112 (VMF-112)
F4F Wildcat pilot earned Medal of Honor

Background
Jefferson Joseph DeBlanc was born on February 15, 1921 in Lockport, Louisiana. Nicknamed "Jeff". During 1940 enrolled in Southwestern Louisiana Institute (University of Louisiana at Lafayette) and signed up for the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) then quit school to join the military.

Wartime History
On July 29, 1941 DeBlanc enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve (USNR) as a seaman second class and began flight training at Naval Reserve Aviation Base in New Orleans then transfered to NAS Corpus Christi. His Naval enlistment was terminated October 15, 1941 and the next day appointed as an aviation cadet and underwent flight training and earned his wings. On May 4, 1942 he was commissioned  in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR) as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-010310. Next, deployed to San Diego assigned to Headquarters, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW-2). During July 1942, assigned to the Advance Carrier Training Group, where he continued flight training until August 6, 1942.

During October 1942 assigned to Marine Fighting Squadron 112 (VMF-112) "Wolf Pack". On November 2, 1942 arrived on Guadalcanal and began flying combat missions with less than ten hours of flying time logged on the F4F Wildcat. On November 13, 1942 DeBlanc claimed three G4M1 Bettys attacking ships off Guadalcanal. On December 19, 1942 promoted to 1st Lieutenant.

On January 30, 1943 took off on an early morning patrol over a U.S. convoy and had an oil line failure and ditched into Iron Bottom Sound at 5:45am. Afterwards, rescued by a a destroyer and returned to the squadron the next morning.

On January 31, 1943 took off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal piloting F4F-4 "Impatient Virgin" 03520 by 1st Lt. Jefferson J. DeBlanc as one of eight Wildcats on a mission to escort twelve SBD Dauntless dive bombers from VMSB-233 and VMSB-234 and TBF Avengers from VMSB-131 on a mission to dive bomb Japanese transports including Toa Maru 2 bound for Vila on Kolombangara Island. After take off, two Wildcats abort due to mechanical issues. The formation was led by F4F Wildcat pilot Lt James L. Secrest with F4F Wildcat pilot 1st Lt. J. P. Lynch, F4F "impatient Virgin 03520 pilot 1st Lt Jefferson DeBlanc, F4F Wildcat 11983 pilot SSgt James A. Feliton, F4F pilot J. B. Maas and F4F Wildcat pilot T. C. Hughes, Jr. As the target was 250 miles away, fuel would only permit the Wildcats 15 minutes before they must return.

Over the Toa Maru 2 the Wildcats encountered Japanese planes and engaged in a dog fight. Japanese F1M2 Pete floatplanes were escorting the transports plus "Zeros" [sic Ki-43-I Oscars from 11th Sentai, 3rd Chutai. De Blanc claimed two F1M2 Petes and three Zeros [Oscars] shot down. Low on fuel and he was attacked by Ki-43 Oscar piloted by Sgt Takeo Takahashi set on fire and forced to bail out low over Vella Gulf. Also lost was F4F Wildcat 11983 piloted by SSgt James A. Feliton (survived). Afterwards, De Blanc earned the Navy Cross for this mission, but the award was later withdrawn and upgraded to the Medal of Honor on December 6, 1946.

Landing in the sea, wounded DeBlanc swam for six hours before reaching Kolombangara Island. For three days he lived alone eating coconuts before being located by locals who traded him for a sack of rice to another tribe, who turned him over to a British Anglican missionary who then notified an Allied coastwatcher that arranged his rescue. On February 12, 1943 rescued by PBY Catalina escorted by F4U Corsairs from VMF-124 on one of their first missions including Lt. Kenneth A. Walsh.

On February 13, 1943 Deblanc and most of the squadron's pilots departed Guadalcanal as passengers aboard an R4D-4 to leave the combat zone for rest and recuperation in Sydney. On May 31, 1943 promoted to th rank of Captain and the next month returned to the U.S. as a flight instructor. During 1944, assigned to VMF-422 in the Marshall Islands and served with the squadron to Okinawa. On May 28, 1945 claimed a D3A Val, his last aerial victory claim of World War II.

Aerial Victory Claims
DeBlanc was officially credited with 9 aerial victories and 1 probable victory. His aerial victory claims include:

Medal of Honor
On December 6, 1946 DeBlanc was bestowed the Medal of Honor by U.S. President Harry S. Truman at the White House. He also earned the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Air Medal with four gold stars and Purple Heart. DeBlanc was one of Louisiana's most highly decorated veterans of World War II.

Medal of Honor (January 31, 1943) "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a section of six fighter planes in Marine Fighting Squadron 112, during aerial operations against enemy Japanese forces off Kolombangara Island in the Solomons group, 31 January 1943. Taking off with his section as escort for a strike force of dive bombers and torpedo planes ordered to attack Japanese surface vessels, 1st Lt. DeBlanc led his flight directly to the target area where, at 14,000 feet, our strike force encountered a large number of Japanese Zeros protecting the enemy's surface craft. In company with the other fighters, 1st Lt. DeBlanc instantly engaged the hostile planes and aggressively countered their repeated attempts to drive off our bombers, persevering in his efforts to protect the diving planes and waging fierce combat until, picking up a call for assistance from the dive bombers, under attack by enemy float planes at 1,000 feet, he broke off his engagement with the Zeros, plunged into the formation of float planes and disrupted the savage attack, enabling our dive bombers and torpedo planes to complete their runs on the Japanese surface disposition and withdraw without further incident. Although his escort mission was fulfilled upon the safe retirement of the bombers, 1st Lt. DeBlanc courageously remained on the scene despite a rapidly diminishing fuel supply and, boldly challenging the enemy's superior number of float planes, fought a valiant battle against terrific odds, seizing the tactical advantage and striking repeatedly to destroy three of the hostile aircraft and to disperse the remainder. Prepared to maneuver his damaged plane back to base, he had climbed aloft and set his course when he discovered two Zeros closing in behind. Undaunted, he opened fire and blasted both Zeros from the sky in a short, bitterly fought action which resulted in such hopeless damage to his own plane that he was forced to bail out at a perilously low altitude atop the trees on enemy-held Kolombangara. A gallant officer, a superb airman, and an indomitable fighter, 1st Lt. DeBlanc had rendered decisive assistance during a critical stage of operations, and his unwavering fortitude in the face of overwhelming opposition reflects the highest credit upon himself and adds new luster to the traditions of the U.S. Naval Service."

Postwar
DeBlanc earning a masters degree in mathematics and later a doctorate degree in education. He remained in the Marine Corps Reserve, and for six years was the commander Marine Air Reserve Group 18 based at NAS Belle Chasse. In 1972 retired with the rank of Colonel and lived in Saint Martinville, LA.

Memorials
DeBlanc passed away on November 22, 2007 in Lafayette, Louisiana at age 86. He was buried with full military honors at Saint Michaels Cemetery in Saint Martinville, Louisiana.

Display
In 2008, several items from DeBlanc's collection where donated to The National World War II Museum including his Medal of Honor (Accession 2008.001) that is on display and a spear from Vella Lavella (Accession 2008.001.002).

References
NARA Marine Fighting Squadron (VMF-112) War Diary October 15, 1942–February 13, 1943 pages 81-82, 102 (Pilot Records)
(Page 81) "31 January 1943... 3. Lt. Secrest's flight. of Lts Lynch, DeBlanc and StfSgt Feleton [sic Feliton] and Lts Maas and Hughes escorted a striking force of TBF and SBD to attack shipping on [sic in] Vella Gulf... DeBlanc shot down one Zero [sic Oscar] as did Lts Lynch and Maas. By this time, Lt. DeBlanc had exhausted his ammunition and Lt. Secrest had also used all his from strafing and bursts at the enemy planes. DeBlanc was attacked by the Zeros [sic Oscar] and Secrest who was with him, made dry runs on his attackers scaring off several but their numerical superiority was such that DeBlanc was hit and he was seen to bail out at a very low altitude (200 feet) and his parachute was seen in the trees [sic he landed in the sea] at the north-western tip of Kolobangara Island."
(Page 82) "January 31, 1943 (Cont) It is fervently hoped the friendly natives have reached him [DeBlanc] before the enemy patrols. Staff Sergeant Feliton was also with Secrest and DeBlanc and was last seen by Lt Secrest making a run on one of DeBlancs attackers. Lt Lynch believes he saw him parachute into Vella Gulf [sic, this was Deblanc]. Although the particulars concerning Staff Sergeant Feliton are meager on this particular contact all returning pilots praised his aggressiveness and skill in the combat. All the SBD and TBF returned safely.
Score:
Lt. DeBlanc - - - - - 2 Flat Biplanes [F1M2 Petes], 1 (3) Zero Fighter
Lt. Maas - - - - - - 1 Zero Fighter
Lt Lynch - - - - - - 1 Zero Fighter
Lt DeBlanc and StfSgt Feliton - - Missing In Action."
Harry S. Truman Library - Daily Appointments of Harry S. Truman - December 6, 1946
"The President presented the Congressional Medal of Honor to Captain Jefferson J. DeBlanc, USMCR. The following were present: The Secretary of the Navy [James Forrestal] Fleet Admiral C. W. Nimitz, USN General A.A. Vandergrift, USMC Commander E.B. Fluckey, USN Lieutenant Colonel A. Sutter, USMC Captain Jefferson J. DeBlanc, USMCR Mrs. Jefferson J. DeBlanc, (Wife of Caprtain DeBlanc) Mr. Frank F. DeBlanc (father) Miss Marie DeBlanc (sister) Miss Marguerita DeBlanc (sister) Mr. and Mrs. Joe Elder Captain Ray N. Bishop (escort) Vice Admiral Louis Denfield General Field Harris, USMC"
Toa Maru No. 2 by Charles Darby Conservation Development Services, New Zealand
The Hall of Valor Project - Jefferson Joseph DeBlanc (MOH citation, DFC Citation)
Fold3 - Jefferson Deblanc (photos)
Pellerin Funeral Home - Jefferson Joseph DeBlanc, Sr. (photo) obituary
FindAGrave - Jefferson Joseph DeBlanc, Sr (photo, grave photo)
Congressional Medal of Honor Society - Jefferson Joseph DeBlanc (photo, MOH citation)
Marine Corps University - Colonel Jefferson J DeBlanc, USMCR (Deceased)
The National World War II Museum - Jefferson Joseph DeBlanc’s Medal of Honor (photos) January 30, 2023
History Channel - Dogfights Dogfight at Guadalcanal (interview with DeBlanc)
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 69 (VMF-112), 76 (VMF-422), 228-229 (DeBlanc, Jefferson Joseph)
Operation KE (2012) pages 166-167 (January 31, 1943), 169, 170-173, 282, 350, 363 (index DeBlanc)
Thanks to Jefferson J. DeBlanc for additional information

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