Donald H. Balch

Donald H. Balch was a Brigadier General in the United States Air Force.

Donald H. Balch
Grave at Arlington National Cemetery
Birth nameDonald H. Balch
Born(1931-08-19)August 19, 1931
Bellows Falls, Vermont
DiedOctober 14, 2007(2007-10-14) (aged 76)
Bulverde, Texas
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service1954–1986
RankBrigadier General
Commands held512th Military Airlift Wing
349th Military Airlift Wing
440th Tactical Airlift Wing
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsLegion of Merit
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Air Force Training Ribbon
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
RelationsGareth Balch (son), Molly Balch (granddaughter), Alyssa Balch (granddaughter), Kyra Balch (granddaughter)

Biography

Balch was born on August 19, 1931 in Bellows Falls, Vermont.[1] He later attended the University of Vermont and the New England School of Law and would marry and have three children. His son, Gareth, would also serve in the Air Force. Balch was killed in an automobile accident on October 14, 2007 in Bulverde, Texas and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Career

Balch was commissioned an officer in the Air Force in 1954. In 1961 he entered the Air Force Reserve Command. He would serve in the Vietnam War and would command the 512th Military Airlift Wing based at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, the 349th Military Airlift Wing based at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California, and the 440th Tactical Airlift Wing based at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Balch retired in 1986.

Awards he received include the Legion of Merit, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Force Longevity Service Award, the Air Force Training Ribbon, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross.

References
  1. "Donald H. Balch". Arlington Cemetery.net. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
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