Donald H. Balch
{{Short description|United States Air Force general (1931–2007)}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Donald Herbert Balch
| image = ANCExplorer Donald H. Balch grave.jpg
| caption = Grave at Arlington National Cemetery
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1931|08|19}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2007|10|14|1931|08|19}}
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial = Arlington National Cemetery
| birth_place = Bellows Falls, Vermont
| death_place = Bulverde, Texas
| placeofburial_coordinates =
| nickname =
| birth_name = Donald H. Balch
| allegiance = United States of America
| branch = {{air force|United States}}
| serviceyears = 1954–1986
| rank = Brigadier general
| servicenumber =
| unit =
| commands = 512th Military Airlift Wing
349th Military Airlift Wing
440th Tactical Airlift Wing
| battles = Vietnam War
| battles_label =
| awards = Legion 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
| children = Gareth W. Balch, Nathalie Balch, Jennifer Balch
| relations =
| laterwork =
}}
Donald H. Balch (August 19, 1931 – October 14, 2007) was a brigadier general in the United States Air Force.
Biography
Balch was born on August 19, 1931, in Bellows Falls, Vermont. He later attended the University of Vermont and the New England School of Law and married and had three children. His son, Gareth, also served 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.[https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgViYWxjaBIGZG9uYWxk/ Burial Detail: Balch, Donald Herbert] – ANC Explorer
Career
Balch was commissioned an officer in the Air Force in 1954. In 1961 he entered the Air Force Reserve Command. He served in the Vietnam War and commanded 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
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{citation|url=http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/dhbalch.htm|title=Donald H. Balch|date=26 September 2023 |publisher=ArlingtonCemetery.net|id=an unofficial website}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Balch, Donald H.}}
Category:People from Bellows Falls, Vermont
Category:United States Air Force generals
Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Category:American recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)
Category:United States Air Force personnel of the Vietnam War
Category:University of Vermont alumni
Category:New England Law Boston alumni
Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery