Edward Balli

CW2 Edward Balli Military History

Chief Warrant Officer Two Edward Balli, 42, of Kapolei, Hawaii, was killed in action at Forward Operating Base Pasab, Afghanistan on January 20, 2014 and assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop 2nd Cavalry Regiment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Edward was born and raised in Salinas, California and enlisted into the United States Army Reserves in 1990, Oakland, California.

In 1993 he married the love of his life, Kristy and started a new chapter in his military service with her and the children by his side.

Edward was stationed at Moffett Field, California in 1995 as a Power Generation Mechanic (52D). During this period he participated in two successful missions in Panama while assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 353rd Psychological Operations Battalion and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 12th Psychological Operations Battalion.

In 1998 Edward enlisted into the United States Army active component with his first duty assignment to the Regimental Support Squadron 2nd Armored Cavalry, Fort Polk, Louisiana as a Power Generation Repair Supervisor (52D).

In 2001 the Army assigned Edward to the 501 st Military Intelligence Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, McCully Barracks, Wackernheim, Germany as a Ground Surveillance System Team Leader (96R). While serving with the 501st Military Intelligence Battalion Edward deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Iron Sabre earning the Presidential Unit Citation and Meritorious Unit Citation.

From 2005 – 2009 Edward’s next assignment was with the 5th Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii as a Unmanned Aerial Operator (96U) then reassigned to the 2nd Squadron 14th Cavalry Regiment as a Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator (35K). While with the 25 th Infantry Division (light) he deployed a second time to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After completing the Warrant Officer Candidate Course in 2009, Chief Balli was appointed as a Warrant Officer One, Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (TUAS) Operations Officer (150U) and assigned to the FIRES Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany. In 2010 Chief Balli deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan.

On July 10, 2011, Chief Balli was commissioned as a Chief Warrant Officer Two and was selected as the Platoon Leader for the Unmanned Aerial Surveillance Platoon. Chief Balli and the UAS Platoon successfully completed multiple training events to include the Decisive Action Training Environment in October 2012 and the Mission Readiness Exercise in preparation for the Regiment’s current deployment in 2013 to Afghanistan. Under Chief Balli’s leadership, the UAS Platoon has flown over 6,000 hours in support of ground operations in Regional Command-South.

Chief Balli has completed the Warrior Leaders Couse, the Advanced Leaders Course, Warrant Officer Basic Course, Warrant officer Candidate Course, Aviation Warrant Basic Course and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technician Course.

Chief Balli served over 48 months in support of the Global War on Terror. His deployments include Iraq (March 2003 – July 2004; December 2007 – February 2009) and Afghanistan (June 2010 – June 2011; June 2013 – January 2014) as a UAS Operator, UAS Technician and UAS Platoon Leader.

His fellow Soldiers described Chief Balli as an outstanding leader of Soldiers. He was a person with a kind heart and smile that aimed to please those who he worked for and with. He was a very motivated person who loved his job as an Unmanned Aerial System Operations Officer Platoon Leader, providing the eyes in the sky for those soldiers on the ground.

Chief Balli was recognized for his unwavering commitment to his family and country.
His awards and decorations include the:

Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leave Cluster

Purple Heart

Army Commendation Medal with Four Oak Leave Clusters

Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leave Cluster

Army Good Conduct Medal (3)

National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star

Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star

Iraq Campaign Medal with Two Bronze Service Stars

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (2)

Army Service Ribbon

Overseas Service Ribbon (5)

Army Reserves Overseas Training Ribbon

NATO Medal

Combat Action Badge

Basic Aviator Badge

Presidential Unit Citation

Meritorious Unit Citation

Overseas Service Bar (7)

Chief Balli is a member of the Order of the Gold Spur, 2d Cavalry Association, Warrant Officers Association, Military Officers Association of America, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Chief Warrant Officer Two Edward Balli is survived by his wife, Kristy, son, Michael, daughters, Desirae and Momilani, grandchildren, Ikaia and Audrie, mother, Catherine Trevino, brothers, Ruben Balli and Robert Balli, Jr., sisters, Sarah Balli and Ofelia Lopez, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and preceded in death by his father, Robert Balli, Sr.