John Henry Balch

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.