At 103 years old, Franklin County, North Carolina resident Joe Balogh is gearing up for a special Blue Ridge Honor Flight from Asheville to Washington, D.C. Balogh is part of a dwindling group of courageous individuals who served during World War II.
During the war, Balogh had aspirations of becoming a pilot and worked with the Ford Motor Company in Detroit, where B24 aircrafts were being built for the war effort. He went through cadet training in the Army Air Corp and was eventually sent to southern Burma in 1944. His experiences were harrowing, with close encounters with Japanese Zeros and tragic losses of fellow crew members during missions near the mountains of China after crashing into rice paddies.
Despite reaching the supposed limit of 68 air missions, Balogh continued to serve, a testament to his dedication and bravery. He is eager to reunite with his fellow veterans during the Blue Ridge Honor Flight, sharing stories and memories of their time in service together. Balogh’s commitment to his country extended to flying a total of 106 missions during World War II, highlighting his profound contribution to the war effort.
