Medal of Honor: Donald E. Ballard - Vietnam War - May 16, 1968

Name: Donald E. Ballard
Rank: Hospital Corpsman Second Class
Branch: U.S. Navy
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Company M, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division
Date of Action: May 16, 1968
Location: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 16 May 1968, Hospital Corpsman Second Class Donald E. Ballard displayed extraordinary heroism while serving alongside Marines in Quang Tri Province during combat operations against North Vietnamese Army forces.

Company M was moving to link up with the rest of the battalion when the unit suddenly came under a devastating ambush.

Enemy automatic weapons and mortar fire tore into the Marines, causing numerous casualties.

Ballard had just returned from helping evacuate two heat casualties when the ambush erupted.

Without hesitation, he sprinted across the bullet-swept terrain toward a wounded Marine lying exposed under enemy fire.

Ignoring the danger around him, Ballard immediately began administering medical aid.

He then directed four Marines to carry the wounded man to safety.

As the men prepared to move the casualty, an enemy soldier suddenly emerged from concealment.

The North Vietnamese soldier threw a grenade directly into the middle of the group and opened fire.

The grenade landed beside the wounded Marine.

Instantly realizing the danger to the others, Ballard shouted a warning and threw himself directly onto the grenade, fully expecting to absorb the blast with his own body.

Miraculously, the grenade failed to explode.

Calmly rising from the ground, Ballard ignored what had almost certainly been death only seconds earlier and immediately resumed treating wounded Marines throughout the battle.

His fearless devotion to his fellow Marines and willingness to sacrifice his own life embodied the highest traditions of the Navy corpsmen who served beside Marines in Vietnam.

Medal of Honor Citation

BALLARD, DONALD E.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and beyond the call of duty while serving as a HC2c. with Company M, in connection with operations against enemy aggressor forces. During the afternoon hours, Company M was moving to join the remainder of the 3d Battalion in Quang Tri Province. After treating and evacuating 2 heat casualties, HC2c. Ballard was returning to his platoon from the evacuation landing zone when the company was ambushed by a North Vietnamese Army unit employing automatic weapons and mortars, and sustained numerous casualties. Observing a wounded marine, HC2c. Ballard unhesitatingly moved across the fire swept terrain to the injured man and swiftly rendered medical assistance to his comrade. HC2c. Ballard then directed 4 marines to carry the casualty to a position of relative safety. As the 4 men prepared to move the wounded marine, an enemy soldier suddenly left his concealed position and, after hurling a hand grenade which landed near the casualty, commenced firing upon the small group of men. Instantly shouting a warning to the marines, HC2c. Ballard fearlessly threw himself upon the lethal explosive device to protect his comrades from the deadly blast. When the grenade failed to detonate, he calmly arose from his dangerous position and resolutely continued his determined efforts in treating other marine casualties. HC2c. Ballard’s heroic actions and selfless concern for the welfare of his companions served to inspire all who observed him and prevented possible injury or death to his fellow marines. His courage, daring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.