Joe Balogh, a 103-year-old World War II veteran from Franklin County, North Carolina, is preparing for a special Blue Ridge Honor Flight that will take him from Asheville to Washington, D.C. Balogh is part of a dwindling group of brave men and women who served in the war. Despite his advanced age, he remains active and is still able to stand on his own two feet.
As a young man growing up in Detroit, Balogh worked for the Ford Motor Company, which was manufacturing B24 aircraft for the war effort. He had always dreamed of becoming a pilot rather than an officer, so he underwent cadet training in the Army Air Corps. In 1944, he was sent to southern Burma where he piloted a B25 plane on perilous missions. One mission stands out to Balogh as particularly harrowing when Japanese Zeros fired at their plane while they were dropping artillery to U.S. ground forces. Miraculously, Balogh and his crew were able to bail out and evade capture by the enemy.
On another mission near the mountains of China, tragedy struck when they were unable to jump out of the plane in time and had to crash into rice patties. Balogh lost his co-pilot in the crash despite surpassing the recommended limit of 68 air missions during World War II. His dedication to his service never wavered as attrition rates for pilots were high during wartime.
As Balogh prepares for the Blue Ridge Honor Flight, he looks forward to reuniting with his fellow veterans and sharing their stories of their time in the war. He views them as brothers who fought together to protect their country. The flight will be an emotional journey for Balogh as he reflects on his past and honors those who gave their lives in service to their country.
Franklin County residents are proud of Joe Balogh’s accomplishments and grateful for his contributions to our nation’s history during World War II.
In conclusion, Joe Balogh is an inspiring individual whose bravery and dedication should be celebrated as we honor those who served our country during World War II. The Blue Ridge Honor Flight will be a special occasion for Joe as he reunites with fellow veterans and reflects on his experiences during wartime.
