Sergeant Blanchard was a U.S. Army sergeant who made a one-time appearance in the Season 5 episode of the M*A*S*H television series, titled "Ping Pong". The part of Sergeant Blanchard was played by Robert Phalen.
About Sergeant Blanchard[]
Sergeant Blanchard is among a large group of wounded soldiers who arrive at the MASH. Like many of the others, he is from the unit of Lieutenant Colonel Harold Becket which had come under heavy attack. While recovering in post-op, he decides to confide in B.J. and Hawkeye about what really happened.
In Blanchard's opinion, Becket was incompetent and had almost got his unit killed. When the unit came under heavy attack, orders had come for the unit to withdraw but Becket had panicked and did not react. He "stood there, screaming orders out of an army manual." Becket should not have been in command of combat troops, but his friends had given him the command so that he could clock enough days to earn the Combat Infantryman Badge which would secure him a promotion to full colonel before retiring.
Hawkeye and B.J. subsequently report Blanchard's story to Potter who decides to turn Becket in, denying him of the chance to earn the last five days he needs to qualify for the Combat infantryman Badge.