A Soldier's Story: Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Russell Blair



Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Russell Blair was born on November 11, 1915, in Topeka, Kansas.

Enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1935 as a cavalryman, Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Blair was first assigned to Merrill's Mauraders, the special forces team assigned to Burma during World War II.

He was briefly assigned to the Pentagon before moving to General MacArthur's staff and then was assigned to hold Pusan's Perimeter in the Korean War.

Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Blair then served at the New York Military Academy, recreating an equestrian program until his full retirement.

He was also an active member of the American Legion.

Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Russell Blair died on April 19, 2008, and rests in Arlington Cemetery.

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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to the travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

Her online photography gallery can be found at shop.takethebackroads.com

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Location: Topeka, KS, USA

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