THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Silver Star citation attests to your courage and devotion to our country. May you rest in eternal peace.

We had some very good times N Daytona Beach. I'm glad U moved here & I still remember us talking when U tore your knee up playing flag football @ DBJC. how this would keep U out of the draft. This was the spring of 1966. You will always B remembered as a truly great friend & always remember the hot 57 Ford you & your dad set up. I will always remember U, your mom, dad & sister Joan. God bless you my friend

FSB Gold was located seventeen miles northwest of Tay Ninh, RVN. During Operation Junction City, the fire base was occupied jointly by the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, and the headquarters and all firing batteries of the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery. At 6:40 AM on March 21, 1967, infantry patrols sweeping the area around Gold made contact with elements of a Viet Cong (VC) force apparently preparing to attack the base. The contact prematurely triggered the attack which began with heavy fire from recoilless rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and 60mm and 82mm mortars. At 7:15 AM, the Viet Cong launched a coordinated ground assault from the east, southeast, and north with elements of five battalions under the control of the 272nd Viet Cong Regiment. So violent was the assault that the enemy carried portions of the perimeter, but actions by the field artillery turned the tide. All batteries of the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery engaged the enemy with over 1000 rounds of direct fire, including 30 rounds of beehive. At the same time, three batteries within range added their fire. Further fire support was provided by Air Force tactical air. During the attack, two maneuver battalions of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division were rushed to the scene, catching the enemy forces as they were attempting to withdraw, inflicting further casualties on the VC. The action in and around Gold resulted in 635 VC killed and 7 captured. U.S. losses were 31 killed and 109 wounded. The lost U.S. personnel included SP4 Edward M. Amato, SP4 Herman E. Anders Jr., PFC Matthew D. Atkins III, SP5 Norman L. Balance III, SP4 Michael A. Balzer, SP4 Larry D. Barton, PFC Thomas L. Bell, SP4 Kenneth G. Blanton, SP4 James D. Brewer, SGT Joseph J. Di Landro, SSG Jack Eaton, PFC Brian F. Gibbons, PFC Charles R. Goodwin, SP4 Willie Grant Jr., PFC Charles R. Greer, PFC Everette E. Harding, PFC John O. Harris, SP4 James R. Hintz, SP4 Virgil M. Ledford, PFC William E. Mallory Jr., SP4 Edward J. Muller, SP4 Garland A. Newhouse, SP4 Thomas D. Peterkin, CPL John F. Pezzulo, SP4 Lawrence E. Pollock, SP4 David C. Rogers, CPL Jesse B. Rose, SP4 Thomas M. Seklecki, SP4 Robert J. Smith, SP4 Thomas R. Talmadge, SP4 Algernon P. Thomas, and SP4Larry L. Warnock. The action was given the name Battle of Soui Tre after the fact. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and army.mil/cmh]

Specialist Five Norman Luther Ballance III, Served with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 77th Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Norman L. Ballance


Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Army
Rank: Specialist Fifth Class
Division: 4th Infantry Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 1478 (April 24, 1967)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fifth Class Norman L. Ballance, III (ASN: US-53400505), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Specialist Fifth Class Ballance distinguished himself by heroic actions on 21 March 1967, while serving as a member of a reaction force with the 2d Battalion, 77th Artillery, 3d Brigade, 4th Infantry Division on a combat operation in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours, a Viet Cong force of regimental size attacked the position of the battalion with mortars, rockets, and numerous small arms and automatic weapons. With complete disregard for his own safety Specialist Ballance voluntarily joined this reaction force and succeeded in repulsing the Viet Cong from within the perimeter until the force had to withdraw in the face of overwhelming numbers. He elected to remain behind to protect the withdrawal of the reaction force and allowed them to evacuate the casualties and reach safety. While performing these courageous acts, he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. Specialist Ballance's extraordinary heroism in close combat against a numerically superior Viet Cong force was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.