Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Pharmacist's Mate First Class

Unit:

3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2nd Division, U.S. Army

Awarded on:

September 1918

For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, with the 6th Regiment, U.S. Marines, in action at Vierzy, on 19 July 1918. Balch unhesitatingly and fearlessly exposed himself to terrific machinegun and high-explosive fire to succor the wounded as they fell in the attack, leaving his dressing station voluntarily and keeping up the work all day and late into the night unceasingly for 16 hours. Also in the action at Somme-Py on 5 October 1918, he exhibited exceptional bravery in establishing an advanced dressing station under heavy shellfire.

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Pharmacist's Mate First Class

Unit:

3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2nd Division, U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1918

Pharmacist's Mate First Class Balch distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Bois de Belleau, France. He was conspicuous for his coolness and the value of his work under shell fire, evacuating wounded men at the risk of his life, during our attack upon the enemy on the night of 6 June 1918.

2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 40

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pharmacist's Mate First Class

Unit:

3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2nd Division, U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1918

Pharmacist's Mate First Class Balch distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Bois de Belleau, France. He was conspicuous for his coolness and the value of his work under shell fire, evacuating wounded men at the risk of his life, during our attack upon the enemy on the night of 6 June 1918.

2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 40

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Pharmacist's Mate First Class

Unit:

3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2nd Division, U.S. Army

In action near Somme-Py, France, 5 October 1918. Pharmacist's Mate First Class Balch displayed extraordinary heroism and bravery in using the best judgment in establishing an advanced aid station during the most intense shell fire, thereby enabling him and his fellow Corpsmen to take better care of the wounded and saving many of their lives

2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 88

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Rank:

Pharmacist's Mate First Class

Unit:

3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2nd Division, U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1919

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John H. Balch, Pharmacist's Mate, U.S. Navy, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action in the Bois-de-Belleau, France, June 6 - 8, 1918, near Vierzy, France, July 19, 1918; and near St. Etienne-aux-Arnes, France, October 5, 1918. During the attack in the Bois-de-Belleau, Pharmacist's Mate Balch displayed conspicuous coolness under shell fire in evacuating wounded men. During the action near Vierzy, he worked unceasingly for sixteen hours, giving assistance to the wounded on a field torn by high explosive shells and covered by direct machine-gun fire. Near St. Etienne-aux-Arnes, he again gave proof of excellent judgment and courage in establishing an advance dressing station under violent shell and machine-gun fire, thereby saving many lives which would otherwise have been lost.

War Department, General Orders 70

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Unit:

3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2nd Division, U.S. Army

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Unit:

3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2nd Division, U.S. Army

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Unit:

3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2nd Division, U.S. Army

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Unit:

3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2nd Division, U.S. Army

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

With 3 Silver Citation Stars

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

2nd award: Gold star

Period:

First World War (1914-1918)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)