THE WALL OF FACES

Mel Roy Ballard
Date of birth: 19-Dec-44
Date of death: Killed in Action
Home of record: Redding California
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Mel Roy Ballard (ASN: 56827483), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light). On 18 April 1968 Company C was conducting a reconnaissance-in-force operation through dense jungle vegetation in Bien Hoa Province when it came under violent small arms, automatic weapons and rocket fire from a well-entrenched, camouflaged enemy force. Demonstrating calm, decisive leadership, Sergeant Ballard reorganized his squad, maneuvered them on line and directed their return fire. As the company assaulted the entrenched enemy, it encountered a devastating fusillade of automatic weapons, claymore mine and rocket fire from the hostile positions which seriously wounded Sergeant Ballard and other members of his unit. Ordered to withdraw so that artillery barrages could be called in on the hostile positions, Sergeant Ballard observed several wounded comrades to his front. Refusing to withdraw, he remained in his position to provide covering fire and evacuate the wounded. In an inspiring display of courage and determination, Sergeant Ballad disregarded his own painful wounds and moved unhesitatingly through the dense vegetation, enemy fire, and supporting artillery barrages for more than three hours, carrying the wounded men to safety. When supporting artillery fire was lifted, Sergeant Ballard persisted in his valiant efforts to remove all the wounded from the battle area. As he moved toward a wounded man, he was struck down and mortally wounded by fragments from an exploding enemy rocket. Through his indomitable Spirit and profound courage, Sergeant Ballard saved the lives of six men and enabled the company to destroy the enemy force. Sergeant Ballard's heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 58 (September 24, 1969)

Action Date: 18-Apr-68

Service: Army

Rank: Sergeant

Company: Company C

Battalion: 3d Battalion

Regiment: 7th Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade

DEAR SERGEANT BALLARD,
THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A GRUNT. MY LATE HUSBAND WAS BORN ON YOUR BIRTHDAY. ELECTION DAY IS NEAR AND VETERANS' DAY IS APPROACHING, MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS GUIDE YOU. REST IN PEACE.

I'm another EHS Alumni that was a couple years younger than you but I remember you as you made an impression on me way back then. I remember how good you were in sports football, track and wrestling. You were just one of those people that us younger students looked up to although I'm sure you didn't know it then. Thank you for your service to our country and I'm proud to say I knew you, especially after reading how heroic you were on the battlefield that terrible day. Maybe you have run into a couple other classmates of yours in heaven, my brother Mickey and cousin Geary G., they both played sports with you. May God richly bless you, you are not forgotten.

Mel Ballard was my classmate and friend from Enterprise High School in Redding, California. He was two years ahead of me, graduating in the class of 1962. At Enterprise High School he was a tremendous athlete in a numerous sports with a NEVER GIVE UP type of attitude in every sport he competed in.

He was an inspiration to many of his fellow athletes and also many students at Enterprise because of his cheerful, upbeat personality and his leadership positions along with his great sense of humor.

After reading today exactly how Mel was killed in action and awarded the Distinguished, Service Cross, (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism, in connection with military operations, involving conflict with a heavily armed, hostile force, in the Republic, of Vietnam that I was personally very moved to say the least.

I now understand fully how Sgt Ballard even after being severely wounded himself continued to go back time and time again under very heavy enemy fire including rockets and mortars that HE CONTINUED TO NEVER GAVE UP.. Sgt Ballard, would not stop until he had personally carried his six wounded fellow soldiers under his command back to safety literally saving each soldiers life.

It was because of his heroism and his attitude of never leaving any of the men under his command behind after being severely wounded himself that again now under heavy enemy fire HE NEVER GAVE UP. As he was bringing back the 7th man to safety, again severely wounded himself, that he was killed in action by a mortar explosion. Ironically Mel was very close to coming home, "A Short Timer" as we used to say in Vietnam.. NO MATTER T0 SGT BALLARD... HIS MEN WERE WOUNDED AND HE NEEDED TO BRING THEM BACK TO SAFETY.

You Mel Ballard are our American Hero. This Memorial Day many of your classmates will gather together in Redding for a Memorial Service on May 30th to remember especially those killed in Action in Vietnam.

God Bless you Mel for your Heroism and Bravery above and beyond the call of duty in Vietnam. You sacrificed your own life to make sure your wounded soldiers were brought back from harms way under heavy enemy fire to safety. You are and always will be our American Hero Sgt Ballard and we will remember you and others classmates this Memorial Day and every Memorial Day moving forward.

You friend and classmate...Jim Knight, USMC, Vietnam 1969

Dear SGT Mel Roy Ballard, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter