John Henry Balch

medal of honor

Howard Lodge No. 1134, Chicago, IL

John Henry Balch was born on 2 January, 1896 on a farm 2.5 miles northeast of Edgerton, Kansas.  Son of Mrs. Mary Balch and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Seckinger.  He moved out of Kansas when he was around 10 years old.

From the Syracuse Journal and Republican, 18 April, 1919:  “He graduated from high school in Syracuse, KS in 1915.  While a student there her won honors for the athletic team at the state track tournament at Lawrence, Kansas, as a long distance runner.  He was a studious, earnest, clean young man, popular with this class-mates and a leader among his fellows.  He was president of the Christian Endeavor and active in Sunday school and church work.  He had spent a year in college at Lawrence when the call came for volunteers, and John was one of the first in.  It was also his fortune to be with the Marines in the first real American action overseas – Belleau Wood and Chateau Thierry, from which time his service was active till the signing of the armistice.”

On 26 May, 1917, John was sent to the Oklahoma City recruiting headquarters by the Navy station to be either part of the hospital corps or fireman service.  He arrived in Marseilles, France, as a Pharmacist’s Mate 3rd Class, 3rd Battalion, Dispensary, 6th Regiment Marines at the Embarkation camp at P O No 752, a E F France.

Bro. Balch penned a letter to his parents on 17 June, 1918:  “Dear Folks at Home: - I am still well and on the job, after the battle of some considerable significance that the marines have up against the German for the  - some – days just gone by.  No doubt you have read the accounts in the papers about the Americans not only holding the Germans off but driving them back several miles northwest of Chateau-Thierry.  We are only fifty miles from Paris and in the thick of it all.  The marines have made a good showing and took several hundred German prisoners besides the many who were killed and literally walked over as we made our advance.  Rile and machine gun bullets are not so bad to contend with, but it’s the shrapnel and high explosive shells that will put the fear of God in any man.  It only takes one shell, well placed, to kill or wound a dozen men.  There are no trenches here.  It is all open warfare.  I was right out with the men advancing through open wheat fields and woods, taking care of the wounded as fast I could get to them.  They were calling for help on all sides.  I was among the lucky, the only scratch I got was a small piece of shrapnel struck me on the right leg.  That was June 8.  It was so slight that it is well now.  The Germans know now that the Americans know how to fight, if they haven’t been in the war long.  The French are well satisfied with our work.  It’s an awful war, but from all indications and from what the prisoners say we don’t think the Germans can hold on much longer.  They are making their final effort right now and that effort is checked, which spells failure.  Mother, did you write to Washington about the family allowance?  I hope you get it.  Also you ought to write to the same place for my insurance policy.  The fees have been taken out of my pay since December 5, 1917.  Let me know how all the folks are for not many of them write.  Your loving son, John H. Balch, Ph. M. 3, 3rd Batt. Dispensary 6th Regt. Marines, Am. E.F., France.”

John penned another letter to his parents dated 2 July, 1918:  “Dear Folks: - We have just come off the front line for a few days rest again.  It’s a great life for one who likes it, but I’ve got that man yet to find.  The American soldiers especially the marines, have ut the fear of God in the Germans.  They can’t understand the American methods of fighting.  We have taken a lot more prisoners and they all seem to be glad to be captured and have a chance to get out of the war.  Most all of them say that they wish the war was over, even if they lose, but they are driven into battle by their officers.  I have a good many souvenirs form prisoners and dead Germans on the field, but I don’t want many to carry around for no one knows how long.  For more than a month we have been living in the woods and in holes in the ground that we dug.  I am perfectly well but tired and worn out.  All the boys are tired but we know that we have put the Boches on the run and they are getting harder knocks than we are, for our artillery puts over five shells to their one and they don’t get any rest for ten kilometers (6 ½ miles) back of their line.  I hope every one is well at home.  Your loving son, John H. Balch, Ph. M. 3.  Third Battl. Dispensary, Sixth regiment U. S. Marines, American E. F., France.”

From The Enid Daily Eagle 8 August, 1918:  “Aug. 7.  …writing to his mother… declares that every American soldier knows that the “Hun is on the run, morally and physically” and that there is every evidence that the morale is going down swiftly.  “The boys realize that this is no child’s play,” he said, “but even so we intend to do all in our power to make the world safe for democracy.”  Balch is in the thick of the fighting on the Velse river, or expected to take part in the battles of Reims to Soissons when he wrote the letter.”

A letter to his mother:  “France, Aug. 26, ’18.  Dear Mother: I am having a fine time at one of the best summer resorts in France, Aix Les-Bains.  It is in southeastern France not far from Switzerland and Italy.  I came down with two friends who came to France the same time I did and this is the first day we have had off from regular duty since we left the states.  This is a wonderful place.  The Savoie district, which includes Aix Les-Bains and the surrounding country, has been set aside for the American soldiers when they take a leave from their organizations.  The town which is eight thousand in population is located near a large lake and high mountains rise on all sides.  While here we have not duties whatever and so as we like at all times.  Uncle Sam furnished us with the best of hotels, including board.  The best and most wealthy people of France spend the summer vacations here and we have all the comforts of home.  My pal and I rented bicycles this morning and rode several miles out past the lake and up the side of the mountain and this afternoon we went swimming in the lake.  This is our second day here and we have five more to stay.  Then it will be a two-day trip back to the front where our organization is located.  Only a few of the men can leave at a time.  So it will be a long time before I get a chance to get another leave.  Although we are entitled to seven days’ vacation every four months.  I had my picture taken yesterday and will send you one as soon as they are finished.  Write often and tell me the news, mother, whether you hear from me or not, for quite often we are not allowed to write for weeks at a time.  Such has been the case for the last three or four weeks.  There is a fine Y.M.C.A. here which helps out wonderfully in providing amusement and things to eat and smoke for the boys.  Tomorrow I think I will take a trip up on the mountain to where one can look over into Switzerland and see Mount Blac.  Your loving son, John H. Balch, Ph. M., 3rd Batt. Dispensary, 6th Reg. U.S. Marines, A.E.F., France.”

Another letter from September 1918:  “It has been a long time since I have heard from you.  I am well as usual, except for a little rheumatism from sleeping on the wet ground so much.  The nights are always cold here even this time of year.  Most all of us carry two blankets to cover with at night besides sleeping with all our clothes on.  Usually it get quite warm in the day time.  After a long period at the front line we were relieved and took a hike at the Marne river for a swim.  We scrubbed up good with soap and had a fine swim, for the river is twenty to thirty feet deep, then we got all new clothes to put on.  I never know anything to write except war news, and we know very little about what is going on anywhere except right in our sector.  I don’t believe I told you that I have been made a second class Pharmacist’s mate.  Second class mate in the navy corresponds, sergeant in the army.  The pay is $46.50 per.  Let me hear from you often, Your loving son, John H. Balch, Ph. M. 2 3rd Batt. Dispensary, 6th Regt. U.S. Marines, Am. E.F. – France.”

He departed Marseilles, France on 21 April, 1919 aboard the U.S.S. America.  The passenger list has him listed at a Pharmacist’s Mate 1st Class.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross while serving as a pharmacist’s mate first class in the 6th Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps.

From a pamphlet issued by George G. Strott, giving the medical personnel of the United States Navy, sixth regiment marine corps, American Expeditionary forces in the world’s war 1917-1918:

“Balch, John H., pharmacist’s mate, third class, U.S.N.  In view of the extraordinary conspicuous gallantry shown by Hospital Corpsman John H. Balch in caring for the wounded in the action on the 19th of July, 1918, near Vierzy it is recommended that the Medal of Honor be awarded him.  The conduct of Hospital Corpsman Balch was far beyond the ordinary call of duty.  He spent the entire day and evening in the open field giving assistance and first aid to the wounded.  The risk of life he took was far beyond that of his comrades and the service rendered was greater than could be expected of one man.  Failure to accomplish even a portion of the work done by this man would not have been the subject of censor.  The work of Hospital Corpsman Balch began with the action and lasted unceasingly for sixteen hours.  It was carried on in a field torn by high explosive shells and covered by direct machine gun fire.  According to statements of witnesses Hospital Corpsman Balch was omnipresent and was often the first man to find his way to the place of a fresh explosion.  Mena from five different units beside his own were treated and evacuated by this hospital corpsman.  (Singed)  Sibly, Major, USMC.  Commanding 3rd Battalion.  Witnesses:  A. C. Simonds, 1-Lt. USMC.  Otto Gilham, Sgt. USMC.  K. P. Spencer, Sergt. USMC.  Balch, John H., pharmacist’s mate, second class, U.S.N.  At Blanc Mont, Champagne Region, (Ste Etienne a Arnes) France, October 5, 1918, for exceptional heroism and bravery and in using the best of judgement in establishing an advanced dressing station during the most intense shell fire thereby enabling him and his fellow corpsmen to take care of the wounded and saving many of their lives.”

From Decorations, U.S. Army, 1862-1926:

“Pharmacist’s mate, first class, U.S. Navy, attached to 6th Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps, 2d Division.  During the attack in the Bois de Belleau he displayed conspicuous coolness under shell fire in evacuating wounded men.  During the action near Vierzy he worked unceasingly for 16 hours giving assistance to the wounded on a field torn by high-explosive shells and covered by direct machine-gun fire.  Near St. Etienne-a-Arnes he again gave proof of excellent judgement 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.”

The Navy Department bulletin reads:

“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 16 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 judgement and courage establishing an advance dressing station under violent shell and machine gun fire, thereby saving many lives which would otherwise have been lost.”

Also from the Syracuse Journal and Republican, 18 April, 1919:  “John’s war record is indeed an enviable one, as evidenced by his several citations for distinguished service.  Hamilton county is indeed proud of her boys, and in the war records now being made public, we recognize the stuff they are made of.”

Brother Balch passed away on 15 October, 1980 and now rests in the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA (Section 2, Site 1925).

Soft and safe, my brother, be thy resting place.  Bright and glorious be thy rising from it.

Lest we forget…