World War II hero receives medals after 65 years

Published Feb. 16, 2011
By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- When Japan surrendered in 1945 and the "boys" came home, the last thing on these men's minds was how to receive their hard earned military decorations.

Mr. Gordon Ballagh, a 90-year-old veteran and prisoner of war during World War II, is one of these men. With the efforts of Tech. Sgt. Wayne Herold, 22nd Air Refueling Wing ground safety technician, Mr. Ballagh received four medals -- the Prisoner of War Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the Euro-African-Middle Eastern Medal.

Sergeant Herold decided to investigate Mr. Ballagh's military history after meeting him through his wife's family in Burwell, Neb., Mr. Ballagh's home state, more than a year ago.

"My in-laws had stated that [Mr. Ballagh] was in the Air Force and I didn't really know anything about him until I looked into his service record," said Sergeant Herold. "His record basically stated that for everything he had done during World War II, he had earned one medal, but he never received any of them."

This felt wrong to Sergeant Herold, who began to delve deeper into Mr. Ballagh's military history.

Mr. Ballagh's military career began when he voluntarily enlisted in Buffalo, N.Y., Jan. 28, 1943. As a navigator, he participated in at least three flying missions vital to the allied forces in the European theater while based in Molesworth, England with the 303rd Bomb Group.

This group was no stranger to danger. The group, which was stationed in England from 1942 to 1945, consisted of crewmen who flew in 364 combat missions.

It was after one of these flying missions over Solingen, Germany, that then 1st Lt. Gordon Ballagh's B-17 Flying Fortress was hit, in December 1943. As a result, Lieutenant Ballagh and his crew bailed out because three of the four engines were on fire with severed control cables due to flak. Despite attempts to evade capture, Mr. Ballagh and his crew soon became prisoners of war. He was not released until May 1945.

Mr. Ballagh's military career came to an end Jan. 29, 1946. Despite his heroic actions as a navigator and POW, Mr. Ballagh did not seek the recognition, or the decorations, to which World War II veterans are entitled.

"I think he never pursued it because if you're held in a German war camp for a year and a half and you're liberated and come home to your family, the last thing on your mind is medals. You're just glad to be home," Sergeant Herold said. "It's time for him to be recognized."

After searching through the National Archives to confirm Mr. Ballagh's military history, Sergeant Herold began the arduous process of submitting paperwork to both the U.S. Army and Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, in 2009.

These efforts were concealed from Mr. Ballagh, whom Sergeant Herold wanted to surprise. When Sergeant Herold heard that the medals had gone through, he quickly told Mr. Ballagh's family.

"He was really happy, and also excited about us coming up to perform the ceremony," said Sergeant Herold.

Eight McConnell members, including Sergeant Herold and Maj. Darrin DeReus, 22nd Comptroller Squadron commander; Lt. Col. Stan Lawrie, 22nd ARW Safety chief, and Mr. George Maher, 22nd Air Refueling Wing weapons safety manager, attended the ceremony in Burwell, at the American Legion.

The hall was packed with community members that knew Mr. Ballagh, who became a pillar of the community following his military career, said Major DeReus.

Before the official presentation of the medals, Major DeReus provided a heartfelt speech about Mr. Ballagh, and the importance of recognizing his and other veteran's accomplishments.

"Enlisting during a time of war didn't make him a hero and neither did becoming a prisoner of war," said Major DeReus. "[Mr. Ballagh] gave up his freedoms and asked for nothing in return; that's what makes him a hero."

Though wheelchair bound, Mr. Ballagh stood, with the aid of two of his sons, for the presentations of the last medal, the POW medal. Major DeReus and Mr. Ballagh exchanged salutes.

"This is by far the best thing I have ever done in my career," said Major DeReus. "It is the best thing I will ever do."

Mr. Ballagh, surrounded by his family of five children and friends, was overwhelmed by the presentation, and teared up at the conclusion of the ceremony when the "Air Force Song" was played.

Sergeant Herold was thanked by each member of Mr. Ballagh's family, for all his hard work. He was also honored by Major DeReus, who presented him his commander coin.

"Without [Sergeant Herold], this presentation would not have been possible."

The ceremony was the culmination of a lot of hard work for Sergeant Herold, who began the search with no other desire than to see Mr. Ballagh's heroic actions acknowledged.

"We need to remember the folks from that era -- everyone, including everybody at home, who helped support the war, Sergeant Herold said. "If nobody stood up and sacrificed like they did, our country would be completely different. I owe it to Mr. Ballagh to ensure he is properly decorated."

Sergeant Herold continues his mission to obtain all of Mr. Ballagh's medals, including a U.S. Army Commendation and Air Medal.