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TAPS
Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.
Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night. |

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Born: December 30, 1894
at Wichita, KS
Entered Service in the US
Army Air Service from Wichita, KS
Earned
The Medal of Honor During World War I For heroism October 06,
1918 in the Air near Binarville, France
Died: October 06, 1918 at the age of 23
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Second
Lieutenant Russell Bleckley was the observer in a DH-4 aircraft
piloted by First Lieutenant Harold Goettler of the 50th Aero
Squadron. On October 6, 1918 near Binarville, France,
Lieutenants Bleckley and Goettler were on their second trip to
drop supplies to a surrounded battalion in the Argonne Forest.
Subject on the first trip to violent enemy fire, they attempted
now to fly still lower in order to deliver the supplies even
more precisely. The plane was brought down by enemy ground fire,
resulting in fatal wounds to Lieutenant Bleckley who died before
he could be taken to a hospital. Pilot Harold Goettler also was
killed in the crash. In the course of this mission, Lieutenant
Bleckley showed the highest possible devotion to duty, courage,
and valor.
(NOTES: Lieutenant Goettler also received the Medal of Honor in
this action, a heroic attempt to provide critical supplies to
Major Charles Whittlesey and the men of the famed "Lost
Battalion" of World War I.)
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