47 years after battle, late veteran honored

Medals go to kin of 3 at ceremony

Family of Army veteran William Eugene Ballew, his granddaughter Jessy Ballew (left), daughter Julie Ballew Kersey and brother Max Ballew, look at medals awarded to the family Monday during a service at the state Capitol. William Ballew served in the Army during the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Family of Army veteran William Eugene Ballew, his granddaughter Jessy Ballew (left), daughter Julie Ballew Kersey and brother Max Ballew, look at medals awarded to the family Monday during a service at the state Capitol. William Ballew served in the Army during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Forty-seven years after Army Sgt. William Eugene Ballew was critically wounded in Vietnam, his family received the Purple Heart and 10 other medals he was awarded.

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Barbara Van Volkenburgh listens to a synopsis of her father’s military career Monday before receiving his medals from U.S. Sen. John Boozman during a ceremony at the state Capitol. Van Volkenburgh’s father, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Arthur Tyrone Haviland, served in the Army during World War II and in the Minnesota Army National Guard until 1976 for a total of 38 years of service.

Ballew was honored alongside aviation radioman 2nd class Joe Calvin Hays and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Arthur Tyrone Haviland at a ceremony organized by U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark. The ceremony for all three men -- now deceased -- was held in the Old Supreme Court Chamber at the state Capitol.

"I always considered myself in the Army too. I just went where he took me," said Anna Lou Ballew of her late husband, William Eugene Ballew. "The military was just our life, and when Gene was so critically wounded, we'd been married 15 years."

He sustained multiple shrapnel wounds over his body on March 10, 1969, as a result of enemy action. Doctors did not expect him to survive.

Anna Lou Ballew said she received telegrams from Japan, where her husband was being treated, every couple of days and "each one was worse."

So she flew to Japan and stayed by his side.

"I've never seen such carnage," she said. "I mean, war is absolute hell."

But William Eugene Ballew survived and was moved to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, which was a fiasco, Anna Lou Ballew said.

However, the couple moved to Memphis, and there, the "VA was absolutely wonderful," she said. "He had therapy like you would not believe."

William Eugene Ballew was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army on June 23, 1969. He died 33 years later.

"I still consider myself an Army wife," Anna Lou Ballew said. "I always will."

The military had a lasting effect on the family of each honoree at Monday's ceremony.

Barbara Van Volkenburgh was born the same day her father, Haviland, shipped out from Virginia to fight in North Africa in World War II.

"He worked like no one ever did," Van Volkenburgh said. Haviland was often called "Mr. National Guard."

He was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation, along with six other medals Monday.

Joe Thomas Hays, son of Joe Calvin Hays, voice wavering, said this country's veterans will not be forgotten.

"My dad's service to the country has always been a source of amazement and great pride for the family," he said.

Joe Calvin Hays was awarded the Air Medal along with three other medals Monday for his service in the Navy.

In an interview, Boozman said his office had been contacted by the families regarding the veterans' service records.

"It's so important, not only for the veterans," he said. "The families actually serve with the servicemen, and you can't undo that."

Metro on 07/26/2016

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