World War II Honoree

George Henry Balkcom

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Columbia, Tennessee

Honored By

Harold E. Balkcom

Relationship

Son

MEMBER OF THE 263RD INFANTRY REGIMENT, 66TH DIVISION. HIS REGIMENT CROSSED THE ENGLISH CHANNEL ON DECEMBER 24, 1946 AND HE WITNESSED THE RESCUE EFFORTS SURROUNDING THE SS LEOPOLDVILLE DISASTER. HE WAS TRAINED AND FUNCTIONED AS A TECHNICIAN 4TH GRADE MEDICAL CORPSMAN, RECOVERING AND EVACUATING THE DEAD AND ASSISTING THE WOUNDED IN NORTHERN FRANCE DURING CONTAINMENT OPERATIONS. HE WAS AWARDED THE COMBAT MEDICAL BADGE.