Alfred J. Balasic USS Shenandoah SD 1924 Attached are 2 photos of my grandfather, Alfred J. Balasic, with the USS Shenandoah taken in San Diego in 1924. I believe the ship was destroyed in a storm a few months later. Photo from Mark Balasi

Alfred J. Balasic USS Shenandoah, SD Attached are 2 photos of my grandfather, Alfred J. Balasic, with the USS Shenandoah taken in San Diego in 1924. I believe the ship was destroyed in a storm a few months later. Photo from Mark Balasi

Navy Bill Aldrin Preflight U Iowa Photo from Mark Balasi

My father, Alfred V. Balasi, ended up flying in Navy PB4Y-1 Liberators in the Pacific at the end of WWII. My dad's the guy in the group picture with his cap pushed back - ever the class clown. From Back of Group Photo First Row: Grabowski, Hager, Balasi, Giles Second Row: Hantschel, Berg, Toohey Photos from Mark Balasi

Back of Group Photo Previous First Row: Grabowski, Hager, Balasi, Giles Second Row: Hantschel, Berg, Toohey Photos from Mark Balasi

Navy Bill Aldrin Preflight U Iowa Photos from Mark Balasi

Navy Bill Aldrin Preflight U Iowa Photos from Mark Balasi

Here are some photos that I believe are of a Coquat Type R Observation Balloon circa WWI. Also, I think some of the photos were taken from the balloon. I believe that these were taken in Omaha, Nebraska at the balloon factory. Photos provided by Dedra Wolff

Here are some photos that I believe are of a Coquat Type R Observation Balloon circa WWI. Also, I think some of the photos were taken from the balloon. I believe that these were taken in Omaha, Nebraska at the balloon factory. Photos provided by Dedra Wolff

Here are some photos that I believe are of a Coquat Type R Observation Balloon circa WWI. Also, I think some of the photos were taken from the balloon. I believe that these were taken in Omaha, Nebraska at the balloon factory. Photos provided by Dedra Wolff

Here are some photos that I believe are of a Coquat Type R Observation Balloon circa WWI. Also, I think some of the photos were taken from the balloon. I believe that these were taken in Omaha, Nebraska at the balloon factory. Photos provided by Dedra Wolff

Here are some photos that I believe are of a Coquat Type R Observation Balloon circa WWI. Also, I think some of the photos were taken from the balloon. I believe that these were taken in Omaha, Nebraska at the balloon factory. Photos provided by Dedra Wolff

Here are some photos that I believe are of a Coquat Type R Observation Balloon circa WWI. Also, I think some of the photos were taken from the balloon. I believe that these were taken in Omaha, Nebraska at the balloon factory. Photos provided by Dedra Wolff

Here are some photos that I believe are of a Coquat Type R Observation Balloon circa WWI. Also, I think some of the photos were taken from the balloon. I believe that these were taken in Omaha, Nebraska at the balloon factory. Photos provided by Dedra Wolff

Here are some photos that I believe are of a Coquat Type R Observation Balloon circa WWI. Also, I think some of the photos were taken from the balloon. I believe that these were taken in Omaha, Nebraska at the balloon factory. Photos provided by Dedra Wolff

Here are some photos that I believe are of a Coquat Type R Observation Balloon circa WWI. Also, I think some of the photos were taken from the balloon. I believe that these were taken in Omaha, Nebraska at the balloon factory. Photos provided by Dedra Wolff

Christmas Greetings from 17th Balloon Company, Fort Mills, Corregidor, PI, from 1921 In 1920, Joe Wolff was in 17th Balloon Company Fort Omaha, Nebraska. His job is listed as timekeeper. The star of the show today is this booklet dated inside as 1921. As of this writing, that's 96 years ago, folks. I believe this was sent from Private First Class Joseph Wolff while stationed in the Phillipines to his sister, Adele Wolff, in Chicago. I don't have the original here. This beautiful artifact is with family in Arizona.

Christmas Greetings from 17th Balloon Company, Fort Mills, Corregidor, PI, from 1921 In 1920, Joe Wolff was in 17th Balloon Company Fort Omaha, Nebraska. His job is listed as timekeeper. The star of the show today is this booklet dated inside as 1921. As of this writing, that's 96 years ago, folks. I believe this was sent from Private First Class Joseph Wolff while stationed in the Phillipines to his sister, Adele Wolff, in Chicago. I don't have the original here. This beautiful artifact is with family in Arizona.

Christmas Greetings from 17th Balloon Company, Fort Mills, Corregidor, PI, from 1921 In 1920, Joe Wolff was in 17th Balloon Company Fort Omaha, Nebraska. His job is listed as timekeeper. The star of the show today is this booklet dated inside as 1921. As of this writing, that's 96 years ago, folks. I believe this was sent from Private First Class Joseph Wolff while stationed in the Phillipines to his sister, Adele Wolff, in Chicago. I don't have the original here. This beautiful artifact is with family in Arizona.

Christmas Greetings from 17th Balloon Company, Fort Mills, Corregidor, PI, from 1921 In 1920, Joe Wolff was in 17th Balloon Company Fort Omaha, Nebraska. His job is listed as timekeeper. The star of the show today is this booklet dated inside as 1921. As of this writing, that's 96 years ago, folks. I believe this was sent from Private First Class Joseph Wolff while stationed in the Phillipines to his sister, Adele Wolff, in Chicago. I don't have the original here. This beautiful artifact is with family in Arizona.

Christmas Greetings from 17th Balloon Company, Fort Mills, Corregidor, PI, from 1921 In 1920, Joe Wolff was in 17th Balloon Company Fort Omaha, Nebraska. His job is listed as timekeeper. The star of the show today is this booklet dated inside as 1921. As of this writing, that's 96 years ago, folks. I believe this was sent from Private First Class Joseph Wolff while stationed in the Phillipines to his sister, Adele Wolff, in Chicago. I don't have the original here. This beautiful artifact is with family in Arizona.

Christmas Greetings from 17th Balloon Company, Fort Mills, Corregidor, PI, from 1921 In 1920, Joe Wolff was in 17th Balloon Company Fort Omaha, Nebraska. His job is listed as timekeeper. The star of the show today is this booklet dated inside as 1921. As of this writing, that's 96 years ago, folks. I believe this was sent from Private First Class Joseph Wolff while stationed in the Phillipines to his sister, Adele Wolff, in Chicago. I don't have the original here. This beautiful artifact is with family in Arizona.

Christmas Greetings from 17th Balloon Company, Fort Mills, Corregidor, PI, from 1921 In 1920, Joe Wolff was in 17th Balloon Company Fort Omaha, Nebraska. His job is listed as timekeeper. The star of the show today is this booklet dated inside as 1921. As of this writing, that's 96 years ago, folks. I believe this was sent from Private First Class Joseph Wolff while stationed in the Phillipines to his sister, Adele Wolff, in Chicago. I don't have the original here. This beautiful artifact is with family in Arizona.