Kansas City Medal of Honor Recipient To Give Keynote Address at Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Event

by Jim Kissane of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing- Greater Kansas City Chapter

Making sure his stars are properly aligned, Donald “Doc” Ballard puts the finishing touches on his entry in this year’s Project Healing Waters annual rod building competition. Ballard will be competing in the 12^th Annual Two-Fly Tournament this month in Virginia.

 Donald “Doc” Ballard will represent the Greater Kansas City Program in the 12^th annual Project Healing Waters Two-Fly Tournament April 28-29 at Rose River Farm in Syria, VA. The tournament features Veteran competitors from across the United States, paired with professional guides (most of whom are also Veterans) for a weekend of fishing and fun.

Doc will have an additional role in the weekend’s activities – he has been selected to be the keynote speaker for the event.

Ballard served as a Hospital Corpsman Second Class in the Marines from 1965-70. His nickname refers to that service, and it was as an HC2c that he served in Vietnam. From 1970-2000, he served in the Kansas Army National Guard, achieving the rank of Colonel, but if you address him as Colonel he may not answer you.

Doc comes across as just an average guy. But as any Veteran or first responder will tell you, sometimes circumstances press ordinary people into extraordinary acts. And so it was with Ballard 50 years ago in the Quang Tri Province of South Vietnam.

Doc had been treating two Marines for heat exhaustion, taking them to the helicopter pad for evacuation and then returning to his platoon, when a North Vietnamese Army unit attacked. During the ensuing firefight, Ballard was treating a wounded Marine when an enemy grenade landed among the two of them and four other Marines. Doc leaped to cover the grenade with his body and, when it failed to detonate, he threw the grenade out of range, where it exploded. Ballard then continued to treat his wounded comrades throughout the battle.

For his valor and his courage under fire, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He received his medal from President Richard M. Nixon and Gen. William Westmoreland in 1970.

Ballard’s Medal of Honor puts him in rare company. Of 44 million Veterans in our country’s history, 3,517 have received its highest military decoration. Doc is one of 71 recipients still living, and the only one in Missouri.

Doc’s Medal of Honor Citation reads:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and beyond the call of duty while serving as a HC2c. with Company M, in connection with operations against enemy aggressor forces. During the afternoon hours, Company M was moving to join the remainder of the 3d Battalion in Quang Tri Province. After treating and evacuating 2 heat casualties, HC2c. 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. Observing a wounded marine, HC2c. Ballard unhesitatingly moved across the fire swept terrain to the injured man and swiftly rendered medical assistance to his comrade. HC2c. Ballard then directed 4 marines to carry the casualty to a position of relative safety. As the 4 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. Instantly shouting a warning to the marines, HC2c. Ballard fearlessly threw himself upon the lethal explosive device to protect his comrades from the deadly blast. When the grenade failed to detonate, he calmly arose from his dangerous position and resolutely continued his determined efforts in treating other marine casualties. HC2c. Ballard's heroic actions and selfless concern for the welfare of his companions served to inspire all who observed him and prevented possible injury or death to his fellow marines. His courage, daring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of extreme personal danger, sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.”

Fly tying is like golf – you’re always learning. Doc Ballard (right) gets some fly tying tips from David Bagley during a Project Healing Waters fly tying session. Doc will give the keynote address at the PHWFF annual Two-Fly Tournament April 28 in Virginia.

His friends in the Kansas City Program of Project Healing Waters wish Doc Ballard the best of luck in the Two-Fly Tournament. Whether he wins or not, they know one thing – his guide and the rest of the folks in the tournament will have a difficult time getting him off the water. Doc is one dedicated fisherman.

But dedication is what characterizes him. Whether he’s tying a fly or crafting a fly rod or saving Marines at Quang Tri, Doc is dedicated. Even now he is still dedicated to service, from offering free burial spaces at his Swan Lake Memorial Park Cemetery in Grain Valley to any police officer, firefighter, paramedic or any medical or safety officer, as well as free services to youths or the needy at his Chapel of Memories Funeral Home, Ballard is devoted to a cause bigger than himself. “Honor,” after all, is part of the name of the medal he earned.

The PHWFF Two-Fly Tournament is one of PHWFF’s major fund-raising events. For more information, go to http://www.projecthealingwaters.org/tournaments/2-fly-tournament/. There is also an online auction, with items ranging from fishing trips to art work, at https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/item/browse.action?auctionId=322619528.