Soldier's life-saving actions earn him recognition from 7ID leadership

Photo By Lindsey Kibler | Maj. Gen. Stephen R. Lanza (center), 7th Infantry Division commanding general, presents Sgt. Larry Blais with a Bayonet Soldier of the Month certificate and commanders coin Aug. 2, while Command Sgt. Maj. Delbert Byers, the division’s command sergeant major, looks on. Blais was recognized for his actions on May 5, 2013. Blais, a noncommissioned officer with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, was performing a barracks inspection with his soldiers when he noticed a soldier who was severely intoxicated. After assessing the situation, the Lewiston, Maine, native rushed the soldier to the hospital for immediate medical attention. Blais said he was "just doing what a leader should be" doing, by performing barracks inspections, and said soldiers should continue to check on and take care of one another.  

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, UNITED STATES

08.02.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. Lindsey Kibler 

7th Infantry Division

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - In front of a formation of nearly 100 soldiers, Maj. Gen. Stephen R. Lanza, commanding general of the 7th Infantry Division, recognized three soldiers from three separate brigades within the division for their "outstanding actions," naming them Bayonet Soldiers of the Month.

One of those soldiers, Sgt. Larry Blais, said he was "just doing what a leader should be."

On May 5, 2013, Blais, a noncommissioned officer with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, was performing a weekend barracks inspection of his soldiers' living quarters. It was on that evening that Blais' quick-thinking and leadership skills were used to make a timely assessment of an intoxicated soldier and then rush that soldier to the emergency room for immediate medical attention.

"Displaying exceptional duty and selfless service, two of the seven Army values, makes soldiers such as you such an asset to this great nation," said Command Sgt. Maj. Delbert Byers, 7th ID command sergeant major, as Lanza presented the Lewiston, Maine, native with a plaque and commander's coin.

Blais said all leaders should be performing barracks inspections, and he would expect any other leader in his position to have done the same thing he did.

"Sgt. Blais saved this soldier from a potentially deadly situation. He is an engaged leader, and that is exactly the type of leaders we want in our ranks," Lanza said.

• Date Taken: 08.02.2013
• Date Posted: 08.08.2013 19:03
• Story ID: 111607
• Location: JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US