Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Pharmacist’s Mate John Henry Balch, United States Navy, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in the Bois-de-Belleau, France, 6 – 8 June 1918, near Vierzy, France, 19 July 1918; and near St. Etienne-aux-Arnes, France, 5 October 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.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Pharmacist’s Mate First Class

    Regiment:

    6th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 5, 1918
    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 88 (1918)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Pharmacist’s Mate First Class John Henry Balch, United States Navy, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. 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. Pharmacist’s Mate First Class Balch displayed extraordinary heroism and bravery in action on 5 October 1918, near St. Etienne-a-Arnes, France.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Pharmacist’s Mate First Class

    Regiment:

    6th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 5, 1918
    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 88 (1918)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Pharmacist’s Mate First Class John Henry Balch, United States Navy, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. 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 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Pharmacist’s Mate First Class

    Regiment:

    6th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 6, 1918
    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Order No. 40 (1918)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Pharmacist’s Mate First Class John Henry Balch, United States Navy, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. 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.

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Pharmacist’s Mate First Class

    Regiment:

    6th Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    July 19 & October 5, 1918
    Date of Issue: September 1919

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Pharmacist’s Mate First Class John Henry Balch, United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the Sixth Regiment, U.S. Marines, in action at Vierzy, France, on 19 July 1918. Pharmacists Mate First Class 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 Sixteen hours. Also in the action at Somme-Py, France, on 5 October 1918, he exhibited exceptional bravery in establishing an advanced dressing station under heavy shellfire.