When the grenade failed to detonate, he calmly arose from his dangerous position and resolutely continued his determined efforts in treating other Marine casualties. 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. 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. Petty Officer Ballard then directed four Marines to carry the casualty to a position of relative safety.
Observing a wounded Marine, Petty Officer Ballard unhesitatingly moved across the fire- swept terrain to the injured man and swiftly rendered medical assistance to his comrade. After treating and evacuating two heat casualties, Petty Officer 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. During the afternoon hours, Company M was moving to join the remainder of the 3d Battalion in Quang Tri Province. Ballard, United States Navyįor conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on while serving as a Corpsman with Company M, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division in connection with operations against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Vietnam.
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