World War II Honoree

Alvin Francis 'Al' Balaban

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Long Island, New York

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN MILITARY SERVICE AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL. SERVED AT THE END OF THE WAR, INCLUDING ABOARD THE ESCORT AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS ATTU (CVE-102) IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER. HIS SHIP DELIVERED REPLACEMENT AIRCRAFT AND PERSONNEL, SHUTTLED SUPPLIES AND TROOPS WITHIN THEATER, AND SERVED IN A LOGISTICS SUPPORT ROLE FOR CARRIER FORCES. PARTICIPATED IN OPERATION ‘MAGIC CARPET’ AFTER THE END OF HOSTILITIES. THIS WAS THE CODE NAME FOR THE RAPID RETURN OF SERVICE PERSONNEL BY WARSHIPS AND TRANSPORT VESSELS FROM THEATER TO THE U.S.A. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN. RECALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY AFTER THE WAR AND SERVED UNTIL AGAIN HONORABLY DISCHARGED.