WWII Veteran Finally Receives Military Honors
Pilot George Balthazor Remembered In Service At Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Posted: 03/02/2012
Last Updated:
447 days ago
A World War II pilot who disappeared after distinguishing himself during the war was remembered Friday by family and friends at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
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George Balthazor was a decorated pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions during the war, but problems surfaced after he returned home to Wisconsin."I would hear his screams at night," said Frank Balthazor, George's nephew.Today, George would be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.For more than 20 years, he wandered between San Francisco and San Diego. His relatives, some of whom live in Carlsbad, never knew he was in San Diego.George Balthazor died at the age of 86 in a Carmel Ranch nursing home in 2008. When no relatives could be found, he was cremated by the county and his ashes scattered at sea.Relatives from Wisconsin, New Mexico and in San Diego attended Friday's memorial service.Balthazor finally received the military honors he deserved as part of the service.Copyright Do you have more information about this story? Click here to contact usCopyright 2012 by 10News.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
