World War II Honoree

Andrew Ambrose Balas

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Chicago, Illinois

Honored By

John G. Balas

Relationship

Brother

APPRENTICE SEAMAN. KILLED IN ACTION JULY 11, 1943. AWARDED PURPLE HEART AND NAVY-MARINE CORPS MEDAL POSTHUMOUSLY WHICH READ: 'FOR EXTREMELY HEROIC CONDUCT AS A MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY ARMED GUARD SERVING ABOARD THE SS STANVAC PALEMBANG DURING THE ATTACK ON THE VESSEL BY AN ENEMY GERMANY SUBMARINE ON THE NIGHT OF JULY 9, 1942. IN SPITE OF A SEVERE HEAD WOUND CAUSED BY THE TERRIFIC EXPLOSION OF THE HOSTILE TORPEDO, HE, CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE MERCHANT SEAMEN WHO HAD JUMPED OVER THE SIDE AND WERE CALLING FOR HELP, UNHESITATINGLY RISKED HIS LIFE TO GO BELOW DECK AND ASSIST IN RELEASING A LIFE RAFT. DISREGARDING THE ACUTE PAIN FROM HIS INJURY, HE PERSISTED IN HIS GALLANT EFFORTS IN THE FACE OF CONTINUED SHELLING BY THE SURFACED ENEMY VESSEL UNTIL A SECOND TORPEDO STRUCK THE SHIP. HIS OUTSTANDING COURAGE AND VALIANT SPIRIT OF SELF-SACRIFICE IN THE FACE OF GRAVE PERIL WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.'