Missouri Society Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard Photo Gallery

Pictured here is the MOSSAR Color Guard team at a Grave Marking for Eugenia Fee Dernosek, a Blue Springs DAR Chapter member who is buried at Swan Lake in Grain Valley, Missouri. The MOSSAR Color Guard team is shown here on Saturday, October 16, 2010.

Pictured here is the MOSSAR Color Guard team at a Grave Marking at Swan Lake in Grain Valley, Missouri on Saturday, October 16, 2010. The MOSSAR Color Guard team was privileged to meet Colonel Don 'Doc' Ballard, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient after this grave marking. Colonel 'Doc' Ballard, is the owner of that cemetery.
Grave Marking
Eugenia Fee Dernosek
Blue Springs DAR Chapter Member
Swan Lake Cemetery
Grain Valley, Missouri
Saturday, October 16, 2010

Pictured here is the MOSSAR Color Guard team at a Grave Marking for Eugenia Fee Dernosek, a Blue Springs DAR Chapter member who is buried at Swan Lake in Grain Valley, Missouri. The MOSSAR Color Guard team is shown here on Saturday, October 16, 2010. The MOSSAR Color Guard team was privileged to meet Colonel Don "Doc" Ballard, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient after this grave marking. Colonel "Doc" Ballard, is the owner of that cemetery.

Donald E. Ballard, US Navy, was presented the Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, 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.

LeftPhoto (L-R): Compatriot Al Paris, Compatriot Wayne Merrill, DAR member Peggy Ruester from Houstonia, MO; Ethan Eddy of Oak Grove, MO; Brigadier General Russell F. DeVenney, Captain James Scott, and Major General Robert L. Grover, MOSSAR Color Guard Commander.

Right Photo (L-R): Major General Robert L. Grover, MOSSAR Color Guard Commander, Captain James Scott, Colonel Don "Doc" Ballard, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, Brigadier General Russell F. DeVenney, and Compatriot Wayne Merrill.




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Harry S. Truman Chapter, Missouri Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Independence, MO
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