WWII Service

I now have all of Dad's awards, ribbons and medals from the Air Force.  I have requested his Navy awards but have not had any luck getting them.  I was thinking I could buy them at a surplus store or on Ebay for a shadow box that I plan to make.  The photo is of the World War II Victory Medal which is among his awards.

Two U.S. Presidents express appreciation

After Eddie Ballom completed his Navy service during World War II he received the appreciation letter from President Harry Truman.   Just recently I requested information on his service record in the Navy and in the Air Force from the Department of Defense.  When my response arrived it also included an appreciation memoriam letter personally signed by President Barack Obama. 

Eddie Ballom – The USAF Finest

Jet engine mechanic, Eddie Ballom

Eddie was a jet engine mechanic.

Eddie served in the U.S. Air Force where he was a jet engine mechanic. The engine pictured is most likely the J57 which powered the B52 bomber and still is in use today. In the fifties, Eddie was probably one of the first African Americans to be a jet engine mechanic. He became a supervisor and was in charge of a group of mechanics. After retiring from the Air Force, Eddie sought employment at several commercial airlines as a mechanic and was not hired. He wrote job recommendations for others who worked under him that were hired

Eddie as a young man served in the U.S. Navy

Ships roster U.S.S. Bataan

U.S.S. Bataan circa 1945

In the U.S. Navy during WWII, one of the ships he served on was the original U.S.S. Bataan. Great pictures and history of this ship can be found here.