Veteran honored for his service in Vietnam, Korea, and WWII

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Their numbers are diminishing, veterans who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. An Army pilot, who served in all three wars, was recently recognized by his old division.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Joe Balint was honored for his bravery and action in war. The recognition came before his fellow Vietnam Veterans at their monthly meeting. Balint’s former unit in Vietnam, the First Cav Division, holds him in the highest respect. He was presented a certificate for his distinguished service spanning three wars.

He was 17 years old when he joined the Army in 1946, with his mother’s permission.

“Came back from basic training and what is the first thing they did? Ship me over to Japan,” said Balint.

He was one of an estimated one million U.S. servicemen who served in occupied Japan. His next duty station was Honduras as a combat engineer. Then, months before war broke out in Korea, Balint volunteered for Officer Candidate School at Ft. Riley, Kansas.

“When you graduated they assigned you to infantry, artillery, or engineers. I choose engineers,” said Balint.

Balint served as a platoon leader with the Combat Engineers in Korea. But he had a desire to fly for the Army, so he applied for flight school and was accepted.

“I would say half of my time was flying helicopters and half my time was flying fixed wings,” said Balint.

As an Army pilot, he was posted to Iran in the mid-1950s and other overseas assignments. Then, Balint volunteered to fly helicopters, a rigorous training lasting nearly five months. As an Army officer, his versatility as a fixed-wing and helicopter pilot was well known. By the early 1960s, he was assigned to the HU-1 or Huey, as it was first introduced to Army Aviation.

Then Vietnam came around and he was assigned to the legendary First Cav Division. He wasn’t there long before his piloting skills were tested. On December 17, 1966, in South Vietnam, he was on an emergency ammo and medical supply run.

“There was an urgent request for volunteers to go and carry some ammunition. So, I volunteered,” said Balint.

He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in maneuvering his aircraft into a dangerously small landing zone to resupply soldiers on the ground. Four helicopters were down and he made the landing in the dark with tracer fire and flashlights guiding him because they couldn’t put their lights on.

At 95 years of age, he’s one of about 5,000 surviving WWII veterans who also served in Korea and Vietnam.

“I look at it as serving my country. I’ll always remember it as my patriotic duty,” said Balint.

If you know a Veteran who could be recognized, send Don Dare an email at ddare@wate.com or give him a call at 865-633-6923.

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