1. George Balch participated in the abortive August 1846 assault on Alvarado, where strong currents in the river prevented the flotilla's boats from landing, and in the successful 9 March 1847 landing of General Winfield Scott's army at Vera Cruz.
11 Facts About George Balch
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George Balch then saw service at the Naval Observatory in Washington, DC, where he was promoted to lieutenant on 16 August 1850.
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George Balch then served as executive officer of the sloop-of-war Plymouth, sailing to the Orient on 23 August 1851 for an extended cruise on the East Indies Station.
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The next day, George Balch led 60 sailors and marines and 30 sailors from American merchant ships against the left flank of the entrenchments, while a force of 150 British sailors and marines, and additional "Shanghai volunteers," attacked on the right.
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George Balch later served in the sloop Jamestown, joining her in December 1857 for a cruise in the West Indies before he traveled to Mare Island, California, for service in sloop-of-war St Mary's.
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George Balch was promoted to Commander on 16 July 1862.
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George Balch commanded the flagship Albany in the North Atlantic Squadron between 1868 and early 1870.
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George Balch then returned to the Washington Navy Yard for duty with the Bureau of Navigation, where he was promoted to commodore on 13 August 1872.
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George Balch then took command of the Pacific Squadron on 21 June 1881.
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George Balch was interred at the United States Naval Academy Cemetery.
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George Balch was a member of the Loyal Legion and Military Order of Foreign Wars.