Idaho Sergeant Among Nation’s Most Decorated War Heroes

As an American, I can't fully celebrate the holiday season without acknowledging our country's military. One Idaho veteran who passed away 18 years ago left his mark on the United States armed forces and will never be forgotten in the annals of American war history.

Born in Duluth, Minnesota, my father was a United States Marine and Purple Heart recipient who died on President's Day of 2022 in Twin Falls, Idaho, where he retired. He was wounded in Vietnam resulting in major hearing loss in both ears. He also served briefly in the Air Force, so he was a veteran of multiple armed forces.

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He was a highly decorated serviceman and made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

In February of 2022, my dad was scheduled to have routine pacemaker surgery and went into cardiac arrest at St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center while I was making plans to travel from California to Idaho to support him through the procedure. He was given a military ceremony at his funeral and was buried at Snake River Canyon National Cemetery in Buhl.

Idaho has had many decorated war veterans as well. Sergeant David Bruce Bleak was a medical aidman in the United States Army and is credited with saving several lives. He too was wounded in action in the Korean War, having taken a bullet during a hostile confrontation in his infantry division, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Bleak's story has been the subject of several articles and online videos. His remains have been stored at The Lost River Cemetery in Moore, Idaho. He was a highly decorated serviceman and made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.