Stephen Blair

A thirty-five-year veteran of the U.S. Army, former SGM Blair enlisted in February 1982.

In July 2012, while deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Blair was returning from a patrol in Zabul Province when the vehicle where he was the gunner was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). As the vehicle rolled to the side of the road, insurgents started firing at the Americans, the blasts knocked Blair out and he woke up at the FOB and was airlifted for treatment to Kandahar.

In addition to his Purple Heart, Blair received numerous commendations and awards, including two Bronze Star Medals, Meritorious Service Medal and more.

Since ending his active duty career, SGM Blair has become an active member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Department of Alaska, where he serves as Senior Vice Commander. SGM Blair supports his fellow veterans through his work with other organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association, and the Purple Heart Riders Association, for which is the President of the Alaska Chapter.

In 2021, Blair was Alaska’s honoree for the Purple Heart Patriot Project Mission.