Jim Balsley

   Name: Jim Balsley
   Location: Hayward, Calif.
   585th from: 1967-68
   Job in 585th: Truck Driver
   Hobby: Building Model Air Planes

I worked for Western Electric before I was drafted. You already have the story about me being in the 585th. I came home just before Tet and returned but didn't go back the Unit. I ended up in the 1st. Cav. After I got out of the Army, I went back to Western, that later became A.T.&T. I was one of the guys who painted the special order color telephones, finished the wooden phone booths, wooden crank telephones, office furniture, whatever "Ma Bell had. From time to time, I painted a few cars in there. Not all at once of course. The parts would come in on a pallet. To see a body of a 1934 Ford coming up the aisle on a fork lift, is a sight to behold. About that time I started working in a motorcycle shop, painting. Over the years, I got to be very good at it. In 1990 the doors closed at A.T.&T. and went to work for AC Delco, working in a warehouse. Also, about that time, I "crashed and burned", so to speak. I became a grateful member of Alcoholics Anonymous. And have continued to be for 15 years. Today, I'm retired. Because of the years of being a spray painter, and breathing Methyl Ethyl Ketone,{ very nasty stuff}my lungs are bad. However, I was fortunate, I'm able to receive 2 pensions, and Social Security. I'm very proud to have served my Country, and to be able to have what a lot of people don't have, peace in my heart. I don't have the demons that tortured me for over 25 years. I met Mjr. Gregory Boyington, Medal of Honor Receipent, in '84, I think, those days are kind of blurry. He autographed his book, "Baa Baa Blacksheep", on the condition, that I read the last chapter of the book. I did and it didn't make a damn bit of sense, about having coffee with his new sober drunk friends, going to meetings, etc. Today, it makes all the sense in the world. In June, I'm going to the World Convention in Toronto, Canada. I'm married to a very special lady, and have been for 28 years. We have 2 boys. Jimmy just entered a Police Academy, and Michael is in Korea, with the 1 / 72 Armor, about 8 miles south of the DMZ. Years ago, the Army called it " walking point". Today there is a MOS for it, 19 Delta, Cavalry Scout. When Mike graduated from Basic and AIT{ it's all together now}, at Ft Knox, I was able to be there. The uniforms may have changed, but it's still the same. Most of the troops looked like they were ready for war, some looked like they could care less.

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