Medal of Honor story: Donald "Doc" Ballard

Navy hospital corpsman risked his life by smothering a grenade with his own body.

[@alvinuselton912]

My uncle Alvin L. Raper 1st Mreg 1stBatln. 5th M div FMF HQ NAVY CORPSMEN WAS K. I. A. 02-15-1968 Battle of HUE, Tet offensive. He had been in country 45 days. Loved and missed never forgotten uncle SONNY !. Thank you 🙏 for everything you have done and are still doing for this great nation and your brothers sir I enjoyed your interview very much ! Semper Fi .

[@josephlebel829]

I had the distinct honor and privilege of shaking Doc Ballard's hand at an international Conference of Military Surgeons a few years ago in Nashville. I still remember the moment. I wish you fair winds and following seas, Doc. Chief Hospital Corpsman J. R. Lebel, Attleboro, MA

[@bee7whisper]

That's my grandpa

[@nathancowherd3790]

I personally know doc and his wife, I went to school with his step son Ryan. He is truly an amazing and inspiring man, I’ve had the good fortune of eating dinner in his home with him and his family a few times when I went over to hangout with his son. He gave a speech at my elementary school one year for Veterans Day and I had no idea that I would have the honor of actually meeting him one day, much less become a friend.

[@theunknown4570]

It was an honor to serve as a Corpsman with the 2nd Marine Division. Hoorah and Semper Fi!!!

[@StevenAnderson-pu1oj]

I was stationed with HM2 Ballard after his RVN tour but before he received his Medal of Honor. In 1969 we were stationed at the Naval Hospital, Millington TN. He was working in the Dermatology clinic, I was a HM2 Urology tech working with LCDR Robert Walker, MD. HM2 Ballard never discussed with me about his RVN activities, even though from Millington I was assigned to RVN with the Marines (Kilo Co, 3/7 1st Mar Div). Obviously, he was quite humble about his heroic actions and activities. I went on to retire as a Navy Nurse Corp Commander, and now I see HM2 Ballard retired as an Army Col. It was a privilege to serve close to this remarkable man.

[@vancepeeler2925]

I had the honor of meeting Doc Ballard about a year ago and sat next to him at the table where we met for dinner. I can only say that if you have ever met or been in the presence of a MOH recipient it is the most uplifting experience you will ever have. I also was honored to be in the presence of at least 20 MOH recipients when I attended a benefit at one of the American Airlines hangars at DFW Airport shortly after meeting Doc Ballard. They were from WWII, Korea and Vietnam and it was an experience I will never forget! God bless them all and God bless our military!!!

[@davidsims8636]

Met Doc this weekend at an event, Was awesome to be in the presence of a True Hero

[@theunknown4570]

I served as a Corpsman With the Marines 2 Combat Engineers and 2nd Recon. 2nd Marine Division Camp Lejeune 92-94. It was an honor to take care of my Marines.

[@c-459]

God Bless You Doc...Aye Aye Semper Fi~India 3/26 USMC 1968

[@bacsi19461]

NIce. I was an FMF corpsman in Vietnam with the 4th Marine Regt. I am very proud of my service. I was wounded in Dec. 1965 near Chulai. Loved my Marines.

[@jerryneff6323]

Thank you for your service!

[@Bravocharlie61]

Thank you Doc, and all corpsman and medics.

[@Jackie1952]

My son's father in law was a CORPSMAN. God Bless him. James Caffrey.

[@mgunny05]

Well said and as a retired Marine - Docs - are brothers..squids...but BROTHERS and a I SALUTE this true HERO and service to his country.

[@tommytwogloves16]

Bác sí. Doc in Vietnamese. Doc is what our Marines called us. Your dad fortified the legend. God Bless Him!!!

[@richardclapp256]

God bless all corpsman / medics

[@matthewgrimm5383]

God bless corpsman. They saved my daddy in korea

[@circustime5073]

Thank you Sir, Semper Fidelis. God Bless you.....

[@emojiking8580]

My brother was in mike company third Battalion fourth Marines K.I.A. 6/15/68 Lcpl . Richard Brian Murphy Norwood Mass.

[@Bravocharlie61]

May God bless and hold your brother. And you and your family. We thank him for his service and his sacrifice.

[@davidsauer6286]

Thanks Doc. I’m most impressed by your modesty Colonel. Semper Fidelis.

[@randykelso4079]

Great man, great story. Please shut off the piano so we can hear what the man is saying.

[@loganduckworth377]

very accurate

[@franmcdonald1011]

Amen!

[@dotickle]

It was an honor to meet Doc at the Joe Foss Institute Gala in Phoenix on April 17, 2016. It is an honor I will cherish the rest of my life.

[@dennycaboose2122]

I heard this story from a different perspective a few times as a kid, my friend's older brother and one of his former Marine buddies that served in the same Battalion were part of our deer hunting party. I was 14 or 15 years old at the time and Khe San and Hue didn't mean anything to me. After serving 25 years myself I wish I'd paid more attention to Bubby and Maddog. They both have a great deal of respect for Doc's sacrifices and compassionate care.

[@davidsims8636]

Met this true hero this weekend at the Halo for freedom warrior foundation event. A great American and great human.

[@18dmedic]

I personally know Don from his recruitment that he was doing to get a emergency response team trained and formed up in Kansas City Missouri. Don at the time was serving as a Captain in the North Kansas City Missouri Fire Department. I have had several conversations with Don while at the fire station and during a Kansas Army National Guard social event. In my fourteen years in the Army, Don is the only MOH recipient that I have met. I am proud to have met Don. Don is a brother in both the Army and in the Fire Service.

[@jamespowers3930]

Skeep music

[@jamespowers3930]

Sleep music

[@Jackie1952]

This HERO became a firefighter in Kansas CITY MO. HERO HERO HERO

[@row8017]

Beautiful story of heroism. Semper Fi Doc!

[@landopeezy2382]

What an amazing example of the butterfly affect he saved the guys life the guy has a son then he becomes a Marine Major

[@deniseandmarkfirestine7443]

Thanks for your service and great bravery sir!

[@maverick4220]

Well he must have massive balls to smother a grenade with his own body to save he's fellow soldiers.

[@leebaker2588]

balls of steel

[@Jackie1952]

I can't watch all of this at one time. Cry, stop cry stop. The BRAVERY is unimaginable

[@circustime5073]

Thanks UTUBE for allowing these videos. They are the best of all others. Veterans are above all, great.

[@jason7775600]

We salute you and all veterans!!

[@tvormwald]

God Bless all us Veterans...

[@thesnapperlapper2559]

Amazing man, I wish more people had this caliber of character

[@dennycaboose2122]

I grew up hearing stories about this incredible hero who was my friend's oldest brother's corpsman. Never gave too much thought about it at 12 or 13 years old but after a 24 year Army career these stories had more meaning. I ran into Bubby (the older brother) deer hunting a few years back and he told me stories about Khe San and Hue and recalled the story about Doc Ballard and the Medal.

[@marinegrunt6633]

L 3/4 loved our Corpsman 66-67

[@beta1064]

Awesome story, awesome man Thank you for your service

[@johneynon67]

Hospital corpsman, combined action platoon Delta 3, 1/1 1967 WIA

[@bobbyjoey8515]

this is my dad

[@bobbyjoey8515]

my name is ryan ballard

[@jimenderle5865]

+bobby joey I am a retired Chief Hospital Corpsman. You should be proud of your father. I'm thankful and appreciative of his sacrifice.

[@martinamorgan1119]

Bless you

[@corycollier]

I had the honor of meeting your father several years ago on a PGR Mission...

[@YasselAlvarez33157]

I'm sure he's a father to those who serve under his command too.

[@Jackie1952]

I have had the HONOR of KNOWING 4 MOH in my life. NOTHING compares. PERIOD NOTHING

[@Jackie1952]

OH my gosh. I saw this and HAD to get in on it. LONG STORY BUT HE DA MAN

[@martinamorgan1119]

Take care of sick? I call that,,,Angel,,,

[@70stunes71]

🙏👍🌠 ..6 yrs myself also.

[@jackies56tbird]

A HERO!!!!!!!!!! I tired to get YOUR name on the new building in St Louis but I was outvoted

[@markgarvey5859]

A man of medical an warrior D.m.z. no joke

[@kennethprice5628]

I was surprised to learn the medal is brass, gov too cheap to use gold?

[@martinamorgan1119]

I love this story,,,,

[@184876ela]

SEMPER FI DOC

[@kathrynludrick4821]

Awesome

[@bobbyjames5327]

..music to loud...

[@PANCHOSR]

Semper Fortis Doc

[@fishheadlemonsnack824]

Honor.

[@ubejhane1384]

Please don’t play this piano music

[@martinamorgan1119]

Good story,,,,

[@martinamorgan1119]

Valiente doc

[@martinamorgan1119]

Valiente

[@beta1064]

This is my boss

[@josephspringer7432]

Frustrating when the music washes out the narrative. It's work.

[@jaredevildog6343]

The music doesn't fit a war story.

[@Dutychief]

Get ride of the background music.

[@garykraak8403]

Made in America