The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Justin G. Ballou (ASN: W-3160187), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 16 October 1968 while serving as pilot of an OH-6A observation helicopter, with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, Warrant Officer Ballou was participating in an aero scout mission near the village of Lai Khe when the lead aircraft suddenly received heavy enemy automatic weapons fire, seriously wounding the pilot. Disregarding his personal safety, Warrant Officer Ballou maneuvered his aircraft in an effort to shield the damaged craft from further assault. Although extremely low on fuel, he followed his stricken comrade to a safe area, landed, and proceeded to evacuate the wounded man to a medical facility. Notified that another aircraft was downed near the same location, he returned to the contact area and directed ground troops to the site, providing information and security for the ground force. Persisting in his mission, despite heavy enemy automatic weapons fire, he directed an air strike against the enemy positions and remained in the area of contact until the hostile force withdrew. Warrant Officer Ballou’s courage, disregard for his personal safety and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Justin G. Ballou (ASN: W-3160187), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 17 March 1969 while serving as a helicopter pilot with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, while Warrant Officer Ballou was conducting an aerial reconnaissance operation, his observer detected a number of well-concealed enemy bunkers. Although the aircraft immediately began receiving automatic weapons fire, Warrant Officer Ballou began making low level passes over the area in order to mark the positions for tactical airstrikes. In spite of the accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire, he remained over the contact area for nine hours in order to direct the airstrikes, place suppressive fire on the enemy positions, and mark them for helicopter gunship assaults and tactical airstrikes. Although he was eventually forced to leave the area because of extensive damage to his aircraft, he was personally credited with killing sixteen of the enemy and directed supporting fire that destroyed numerous hostile fortifications. Warrant Officer Ballou’s outstanding courage and perseverance in the face of hostile fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.