Streamed live on January 6, 2025

Bill Balabanow grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, during the Great Depression. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, he tried to enlist in the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, but each branch of service rejected him because of a curvature of the spine.. Undeterred, he joined the U.S. Merchant Marine in February 1944. He underwent training at Sheepshead Bay, New York, followed by six months at radio officers’ school, preparing him for his role as a radio officer. Balabanow’s wartime service involved critical supply missions to Europe. His first assignment took him–seasick the whole way–to Marseille, France, where he witnessed the extensive destruction wrought by the conflict. His ship transported essential military supplies to Allied forces and returned to the United States with damaged equipment for repair and reuse. He also participated in voyages through the Panama Canal to the Philippines, contributing to the Pacific theater operations. After World War II, Balabanow chose to continue his maritime career, playing a vital role in postwar recovery efforts. He was involved in voyages related to the Marshall Plan, delivering aid to rebuild war-torn Europe, including destinations in Germany and Poland. His service extended through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, as well as during the Cold War, reflecting his unwavering commitment to supporting U.S. military operations and international aid initiatives. Retiring in 1979 after 33 years at sea, Balabanow became an advocate for the recognition of Merchant Marine veterans. He worked tirelessly to address misconceptions and prejudices that had marginalized the contributions of merchant mariners during and after the war. His efforts contributed to the eventual acknowledgment of their service, culminating in the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal to Merchant Marine veterans.