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PHARMACIST'S MATE
FIRST CLASS
JOHN H.BALCH
UNITED STATES NAVY

For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty with the 6th Regiment, United States Marines, in action at Vierzy on 19 July 1918. Petty Officer Balch unhesitatingly and fearlessly exposed himself to terrific machine-gun 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 16 hours. Also in the action at Somme-Py on 5 Oct1918, he exhibited exceptional bravery in establishing an advanced dressing station under heavy shellfire.Petty Officer Balch's exceptional abilities,uncommon foresight, and impressive devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval service.




HOSPITAL CORPSMAN
THIRD CLASS
DONALD E.BALLARD
UNITED STATES NAVY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Corpsman with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines,3rd Marine Division in connection with operations against enemy aggressor forces on 16 May 1968.During the afternoon hours, Company M was moving to join the remainder of the 3rd Battalion in Ouang Tri Province. After treating and evacuating two heat casualties, Petty Officer Ballard was returning 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, he unhesitatingly moved across the fire-swept terrain to the injured man and swiftly rendered medical assistance to his comrade. Petty Officer Ballard then directed four Marines to carry the casualty to a position of relative safety. As the four 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, Petty Officer 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. Petty Officer 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. By his courage, daring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, Petty Officer Ballard reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.



HOSPITAL CORPSMAN
THIRD CLASS
EDWARD C.BENFOLD
UNITED STATES NAVY
posthumously

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Hospital Corpsman attached to a company in the 1st Marine Division during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 5 September 1952.When his company was subjected to heavy artillery and mortar barrages, followed by a determined assault during the hours of darkness by an enemy force estimated at battalion strength, Petty Officer Benfold resolutely moved from position to position in the face of intense hostile fire, treating the wounded and lending words of encouragement. Leaving the protection of his sheltered position to treat the wounded when the platoon area in which he was working was attacked from both the front and rear, he moved forward to an exposed ridge line where he observed two Marines in a large crater. As he approached the two men to determine their condition, an enemy soldier threw two grenades into the crater while two other enemy charged the position. Picking up a grenade in each hand, Petty Officer Benfold leaped out of the crater And hurled himself against the onrushing hostile soldier, pushing the grenades against their chest and killing both the attackers. Mortally wounded while carrying out this heroic act, Petty Officer Benfold, by his great personal valor and resolute spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death, was directly responsible for saving the lives of his two comrades. Petty officer Benfold's exceptional courage, personal initiative, and selfless devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for others.



HOSPITAL APPRENTICE
FIRST CLASS
ROBERT E. BUSH
UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Medical Corpsman with a rifle company, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Jima,Ryukyu Islands on 2 May 1945. Fearlessly braving the fury of artillery, mortar, and machinegun fire from strongly entrenched hostile positions, Petty Officer Bush constantly and Hesitatingly moved from one casualty to another to attend the wounded falling under the enemy's murderous barrages. As the attack passed over a ridge top, he was advancing to administer blood plasma to a Marine officer lying wounded on the skyline when the Japanese launched a savage counterattack. In this perilously exposed position, he resolutely maintained the flow of life-giving plasma. With the bottle held high in one hand, Petty Officer Bush drew his pistol with the other and fired into the enemy's ranks until his ammunition was expended. Quickly seizing a discarded carbine, he trained his fire on the Japanese charging pointblank over the hill, accounting for six of the enemy despite his own serious wounds and the loss of one eye suffered during his desperate battle in defense of the helpless man. With the hostile force finally routed, he calmly disregarded his own critical condition to complete his mission, valiantly refusing medical treatment for himself until his officer patient had been evacuated, and collapsing only after attempting to walk to the battle aid station. Petty Officer Bush's daring initiative, great personal valor, and inspiring devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.



HOSPITAL CORPSMAN
THIRD CLASS
WAYNE M. CARON
UNITED STATES NAVY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as platoon corpsman with Company K, during combat operations against enemy forces. While on a sweep through an open rice field Petty Officer Caron's unit started receiving enemy small-arms fire. Upon seeing 2 Marine casualties fall, he immediately ran forward to render first aid, but found that they were dead. At this time, the platoon was taken under intense small-arms and automatic-weapons fire, sustaining additional casualties. As he moved to the aid of his wounded comrades, Petty Officer Caron was hit in the arm by enemy fire. Although knocked to the ground, he regained his feet and continued to the injured Marines. He rendered medical assistance to the first Marine he reached, who was grievously wounded, and undoubtedly was instrumental in saving the man's life. Petty Officer Caron then ran toward the second wounded Marine, but was again hit by enemy fire, this time in the leg. Nonetheless, he crawled the remaining distance and provided medical aid for this severely wounded, man.Petty Officer Caron started to make his way to yet another injured comrade, when he was again struck by enemy small-arms fire. Courageously and with unbelievable determination, Petty Officer Caron continued his attempt to reach the third Marine until he was killed by an enemy rocket round. By his inspiring valor, steadfast determination, and selfless dedication to duty, Petty Officer Caron reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.



HOSPITAL CORPSMAN
THIRD CLASS
WILLIAM R. CHARETTE
UNITED STATES NAVY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against enemy aggressor forces during the early morning hours on 27 March 1953. Participating in a fierce encounter with a cleverly concealed and well entrenched enemy force occupying positions on a vital and bitterly contested outpost far in advance of the main line resisttance, Petty Officer Charette repeatedly and unhesitatingly moved about through a murderous barrage of hostile small-arms and mortar fire to render assistance to his wounded comrades. When an enemy grenade landed within a few feet of a marine he was attending, he immediately threw himself upon the stricken man and absorbed the entire concussion of the deadly missile with his body. Although sustaining painful facial wounds, and undergoing shock from the intensity of the blast which ripped the helmet and medical aid kit from his person, Petty Officer Charette resourcefully improvised emergency I bandages by tearing off part of his clothing, and gallantly continued to administer medical aid to the wounded in his own unit and to those in adjacent platoon areas as well. Observing a seriously wounded comrade whose armored vest had been torn from his body by the blast from an exploding shell, he selflessly removed his own battle vest and placed it upon the helpless man although fully aware of the added jeopardy to himself. Moving to the side of another casualty who was suffering excruciating. pain from a serious leg wound, Petty Officer Charette stood upright in the trench line and exposed himself to deadly hail of enemy f ire in order to lend more effective aid to the victim and to alleviate his anguish while being removed to a position of safety. Through his indomitable courage and inspiring efforts in behalf of his wounded comrades, he was directly responsible for saving many lives. By his great personal valor, steadfast perseverance, and loyal devotion to duty, Petty Officer Charette reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.



HOSPITALMAN
RICHARD D.DEWERT
UNITED STATES NAVY
posthumously

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against enemy aggressor forces while serving as a Medical Corpsman with Marine Infantry Company, lst Marine Division in Korea on 5 April 1951. When a fire team from the point platoon of his Company was pinned down by a deadly barrage of hostile automatic weapons fired and suffered many casualties, Hospitalman Dewert rushed to the assistance of one of the more seriously wounded and, despite a painful leg wound sustained while dragging the stricken Marine to safety, steadfastly refused medical treatment for himself and immediately dashed back through the f ire-swept area to carry a second wounded man out of the line of fire. Undaunted by the mounting hail of devastating enemy fire, he bravely moved forward a third time and received another serious wound in the shoulder after discovering that a wounded Marine had already died. Still persistent in his refusal to submit to first aid, he resolutely answered the call of a fourth stricken comrade and, while rendering medical assistance, was himself mortally wounded by a burst of enemy fire. By his courageous initiative, great personal valor, and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds, Hospitalman Dewert reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.



PHARMACIST'S MATE
SECOND CLASS
WILLIAM D.HALYBURTON, JR.
UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE
posthumously

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with a Marine 'Rifle Company in the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain on 19 May 1945. Undaunted by the deadly accuracy of Japanese counterfire as hit unit pushed the attack through a strategically important draw, Petty Officer Halyburton unhesitatingly dashed across the draw and up the hill into an open fireswept field where the Company advance squad was suddenly pinned down under a terrific concentration of mortar, - machinegun,and sniper fire with resultant severe casualties. moving steadily forward despite the enemy I s merciless barrage, he reached the wounded Marine who lay farthest away and was rendering first aid when his patient was struck for the second time by a Japanese bullet. Instantly placing himself in direct line of fire, Petty Officer Halyburton shielded the fallen fighter with his own body and staunchly continued his ministrations although constantly menaced by the slashing fury of shrapnel and bullet falling on all sides. Alert, determined, and completely unselfish in his concern for the helpless Marine, he persevered in his efforts until he himself sustained mortal wounds and collapsed,heroically sacrificing himself that his comrade might live. By his outstanding valor, uncommon initiative, and unwavering dedication to duty, Petty Officer Halyburton reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

HOSPITALMAN
FRANCIS C.HAMMOND
UNITED STATES NAVY
posthumously

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a Hospital Corpsman serving with the 1st Marine Division in action against enemy aggressor forces on the night of 26 to 27 March 1953. After reaching an intermediate objective during a counterattack against a heavily entrenched and numerically superior hostile force occupying ground on a bitterly contested outpost far in advanced of the main line of resistance. Hospitalman Hammond's platoon was subjected to murderous barrage of hostile mortar and artillery fire, followed by a vicious assault by onrushing enemy troops. Resolutely advancing through the veritable curtain of fire to aid his stricken comrades, he moved among the stalwart garrison of Marines and, although critically wounded himself, valiantly continued to administer aid to the other wounded throughout an exhausting four hour period. When the unit was ordered to withdraw, he skillfully directed the evacuation of casualties and remained in the fire-swept area to assist the corpsman of the relieving unit until he was struck by a round of enemy mortar and fell, mortally wounded. By his exceptional fortitude, inspiring initiative, self -sacrificing efforts, and loyal devotion to duty, Hospitalman Hammond undoubtedly saved the lives of many Marines; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.



HOSPITAL APPRENTICE
FIRST CLASS
DAVID E. HAYDEN
UNITED STATES NAVY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty-while serving with the 2d Battalion, 6th Regiment, United States Marines, Thiaucourt, France on 14 September 1918. During the advance when Corporal Creed was mortally wounded while crossing an open field swept by machine-gun fire, Petty Officer Hayden unhesitatingly ran to his assistance and finding him so severely wounded as to require immediate attention, disregarded his own personal safety to dress the wound under intense machinegun fire, and then carried the wounded man back to safety. By his extraordinary courage, steadfast perseverance, and total devotion to duty, Petty Officer Hayden reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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