David Blanco

MSgt. David Blanco, USMC, age 94, of Fairfax, Virginia, passed away at Inova Fairfax Hospital surrounded by family on July 9th, 2020. David was born on May 28, 1926, in East Chicago, Indiana, to Eleuterio and Hilaria Blanco. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served his country proudly for 23 years. He retired to his home in Arlington, VA in 1967 at the rank of Master Sergeant where he continued his education and received a B.A. from the University of Maryland. He served in Japan at the end of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. While in Korea, he was a veteran of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. He received many awards and medals including the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal with COMBAT (V); Marine Corps Good Conduct (3 Stars); the WWII Victory Medal ; Korean Service Medal (1 Star); Pistol Sharp Shooter; and the United Nations Service Medal (Korea 2 Stars) David is preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Mary Frances Watts Blanco, and is survived by his children, Mary Adelaide Miller (Thomas), Patrick David Blanco, and Matthew Watts Blanco (John VanBerkom); grandchildren, Kevin David Miller and Michelle Moran Miller (Stephanie); great-grandchildren Kayleigh Hayes Miller and Easton Hart Miller, and nine siblings: Lupe Blanco; Connie (Antonio) Urbina; Mary (Tito) Jimenez; Rose (Felix) Vasquez; Frances (Alberto) Minjarez; Joe (Clemencia) Blanco; Robert (Jean) Blanco; and Armando (Carmen) Blanco. A church service and burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David’s name to the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.