Quantico in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

John Henry Balch

Pharmacist's Mate First Class

— United States Navy —

John Henry Balch Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kathy Walker, December 29, 2008

1. John Henry Balch Marker

Inscription. Company Corpsman, 1st Battallion, 6th Marines, 6th Marine Regiment, Quantico, Virginia

Petty Officer Balch was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the WWI battle near Vierzy, France on 19 July 1918.

"While under intense machine-gun and high explosive shell fire for over 16 hours Petty Officer Balch at great personal risk, heroically treated wounded and fallen Marines."

The John Henry Balch Clinic - dedicated 21 July 2005.

Erected 2005.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Science & Medicine • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 19, 1918.

Location. 38° 30.747′ N, 77° 18.51′ W. Marker is in Quantico, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker can be reached from Catlin near Russell Road, on the right when traveling west. Located on the outside of the Quantico Naval Health Clinic on the Quantico Marine Corps Base. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3259 Catlin Avenue, Quantico VA 22134, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bicentennial Commemoration (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lieutenant General John Archer Lejeune (approx. 0.2 miles away); Barber Fitness Center

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 0.4 miles away); Jordan Hall (approx. 0.7 miles away); In Commemoration of the Secretaries' First Conference (approx. 0.8 miles away); Mann Hall (approx. 0.8 miles away); Kelly Hall (approx. 0.8 miles away); H-3-7 Korea 1950 (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Quantico.

Also see . . . John Henry Balch - Medal of Honor Recipient. A brief biography. (Submitted on December 31, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Additional commentary.
1. Medal of Honor Citation
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to

JOHN HENRY BALCH

Rank and Organization: Pharmacist's Mate First Class, U.S. Navy. Place and Date: Vierzy, France, and Somme-Py, France, 19 July and 5 October 1918. Entered Service At: Kansas City, Mo. Born: 2 January 1896, Edgerton, Kans.

Citation:
For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, with the 6th Regiment, U.S. Marines, in action at Vierzy,

Photographed By Kathy Walker, December 29, 2008

2. John Henry Balch Marker

on 19 July 1918. 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 16 hours. Also in the action at Somme-Py on 5 October 1918, he exhibited exceptional bravery in establishing an advanced dressing station under heavy shellfire.

— Submitted December 31, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.

Entrance to Naval Health Clinic image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kathy Walker, December 29, 2008

3. Entrance to Naval Health Clinic

Quantico Naval Health Clinic image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kathy Walker, December 29, 2008

4. Quantico Naval Health Clinic

John Henry Balch image. Click for full size.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph

5. John Henry Balch

Plaque Inside Pharmacy in Naval Health Clinic image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kathy Walker, December 29, 2008

6. Plaque Inside Pharmacy in Naval Health Clinic

Plaque reads Charlie Conner Pharmacy
Dedicated 2002
Lieutenant Colonel Charles B. Conner, USAR (Ret), dedicated his life to serving this country. He began volunteering after retiring from the U.S. Army and Civil Service. He was the first person through the doors each morning rain or shine. A huge contributor to easing the workload and beloved mentor to the staff.
Thanks Charlie
NMCLQ Red Cross Volunteer Since 1987

Bell near entrance to Quantico Naval Health Clinic image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kathy Walker, December 29, 2008

7. Bell near entrance to Quantico Naval Health Clinic

Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,145 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 29, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. 5. submitted on December 31, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 6, 7. submitted on December 29, 2008, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.