World War II Honoree

Donald Johnson Balka

Hometown

Salt Lake City, Utah

Honored By

Son & Daughter

TAPPED BY THE FBI TO BECOME AN AGENT AFTER PEARL HARBOR DUE TO THE FACT HE WAS A PRE-LAW STUDENT IN COLLEGE. UNFORTUNATELY, HE WAS NOT ACCEPTED BECAUSE OF RESTRICTIONS ON AGENTS' EYESIGHT CAPABILITIES. HE ALSO FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR ENLISTMENT IN THE ARMED SERVICES FOR THE SAME REASON. FOR THE REST OF THE WAR HE WORKED FOR STANDARD OIL COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA, CONSIDERED AN ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY, WHERE HE HANDLED GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY CONTRACTS PROVIDING FUEL AND LUBRICANTS FOR THE COUNTRY'S WAR MACHINE.