World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
Mitchell E. Balut
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Fredonia, Pennsylvania
Honored By
A Grateful American
STAFF SERGEANT, GUNNER, B-24 LIBERATOR, 90TH BOMB GROUP 'THE JOLLY ROGERS', 319TH SQUADRON (ASTERPERIOUS), FIFTH AIR FORCE, IN THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. HE WAS A MEMBER OF RICHARD A. ADAMS CREW. ON A BOMBING MISSION, DECEMBER 1, 1943, THE PLANE WAS ATTACKED AND DAMAGED BY ENEMY FIRE. THEY HAD TO MAKE A FORCED WATER LANDING. HE WAS KILLED DURING THE CRASH. HE WAS AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING AND THE PURPLE HEART.