Donald H. Balch

Donald H. Balch
Birth name	Donald H. Balch
Born	(1931-08-19)August 19, 1931 Bellows Falls, Vermont
Died	Bulverde, Texas
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1954–1986
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands held	512th Military Airlift Wing 349th Military Airlift Wing 440th Tactical Airlift Wing
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
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

Donald H. Balch 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 would marry and have two 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.