SPC DANE R. BALCON

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SPC Dane R. Balcon was born on 27 April 1988, at Luke AFB Arizona, Dane Balcon was only three years old the day he told his mother he wanted to be a soldier.

In 2007, he enlisted in the Army as a Fire Support Specialist, following graduation from Sand Creek High School. He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training with 2nd Platoon, Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery Regiment, at Fort Sill, OK. Upon graduation from AIT, SPC Balcon received his first assignment to 3rd Squadron 8th Cavalry Regt., 1st Cavalry Division, in Fort Hood, TX. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Balad, Iraq, on 7 July 2007, and on 5 September 2007, he completed his mission-doing what he loved doing -serving his country.

Awards and ribbons that SPC Balcon earned while serving his country include The Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Weapons Qualification Badge – Expert w/Rifle.