John H. Balch

Pharmacist’s Mate First Class: For gallantry in action while serving as a Medical Corpsman with the 6th Marines, 2d Division, A.E.F., on June 06, 1918 at Belleau Wood, France.

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.