Son of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Ballinger. Entered service on December 12, 1940 with AAF at Jefferson Barrack, Missouri. Sent to Hawaii where he was stationed at Wheeler Field, Pearl Harbor at the time of Japan 's attack December 7, 1941. Cited for bravery. Later attended flying school and becoming aviation cadet. In July 1943 was sent to Cairo, Egypt, Sicily: Mediterranean Campaign. Returned to states in March of 1945 being stationed at Santa Ana and Dallas, Texas as a Transport Pilot. Discharged October 6, 1945 as Second Lieutenant