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 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.