Veteran of the Month: Ronald D. Bales

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Neb. - The Jefferson County Commissioners honored their July Veteran of the Month on Tuesday. 

This month's recipient is Ronald D. Bales, a Fairbury native and Vietnam veteran. Bales attended K-12 in the Fairbury Public School system full time except for a short period of time when the family moved to Arlington, Nebraska where Ron’s father worked for Omaha Public Power before moving back to Fairbury to work in construction. 

At age 20, Bales received his draft notice and was told to report to Omaha for his military physical.   Basic conducted Basic Training at Fort Lewis, Washington for an eight-week period. Advanced Individual Training was at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in Artillery.

Bales first assignment was a trip to South Vietnam by way of California and Alaska  His first duty station was a service battery, 2^nd Battalion, 35^th Artillery near Tay Ninh South Vietnam.  

One day back at base camp he and three other men were building a fence perimeter around the unit’s supply items.  They decided to get a drink of water and had just left the immediate work area when an incoming rocket struck near their work site.  Had they not been thirsty, at the least, they would have been covered with shrapnel.  Being close to the underground bunker where they slept in three-high bunk beds helped prevent any injuries.

While serving his Country in South Vietnam Specialist E-4 Bales earned:  National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Army Commendation Medal.

In addition to the honor of Veteran of the Month, Bales was presented a Quilt of Valor and a wreath. 

Bales now resides in Jefferson County, having retired from work for the City of Fairbury in 2015. 

He is a past member of the Elks, a long-time member of the VFW and now enjoys fishing and spending time with his wife, Linda of 52 years, his kids, grand kids, and great grand kids.