new Medical Detachment 5, a unit which performs medicals on guard members in order to save the cost of contracting outside medical help, and of which he was the first member and commander. On April 5, 1998, Ballard was promoted to colonel by Major General James F. Reuger and served as Special Assistant to the Adjutant General until his retirement in 2000. Inducted into the National Guard Hall of Fame in November 2001, Ballard is the only living Kansas Guardsman to have received the Medal of Honor. He is also the subject of a memorial statue at the National Medical War Memorial in Kansas City, depicting Ballard during the action for which he received the Medal of Honor. Ballard has been active in providing services to veterans and active duty military, including work towards opening a USO facility in downtown Kansas City. Military awards Ballard's military awards and decorations include: Medal of Honor citation Ballard's official Medal of Honor citation reads: The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to for service as set forth in the following CITATION: See also List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War References External links Interview at the Pritzker Military Museum & Library Exhibit of Valor: Reuniting the American Spirit 1945 births Living people United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients United States Navy personnel of the Vietnam War National Guard (United States) colonels United States Navy sailors United States Navy corpsmen People from Kansas City, Missouri Military personnel from Missouri Missouri National Guard personnel Vietnam War recipients of the Medal of Honor