Chief Warrant Officer 2 Edward Balli, 42, of Monterey, California, died of wounds from small arms fire when he was attacked by insurgents. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army Europe, Vilseck, Germany. He was a drone pilot. He was born and raised in Salinas and had joined the Army in 1991. He was on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan and had completed two tours in Iraq. He planned on retirement in Hawaii in four years. [Department of Defense News Release No: NR-042-14 issued January 22, 2014]
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Chief Warrant Officer 2 Edward Balli, 42, was killed in action in Afghanistan on Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. Eddie was born Feb. 9, 1971, in Salinas. He was a native of Salinas and exemplified himself as a true American since early childhood. He attended school in Salinas and graduated North High then joined the Army. In early childhood, Edward was a Boy Scout; many family members who were in the military influenced him into a career in the Army. Edward was recognized for his commitment and dedication as a noncommissioned officer and was recommended to the Army's Green to Gold program which selects qualified noncommissioned officers to become Warrant Officers. Eddie received a Bronze Star for heroism in one of his many deployments in the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, aside from the countless other medals he earned. Eddie met the love of his life when he met and married Kristy Balli. Eddie would often speak of his son, Michael and daughters, Momilani and Desirae. His entire family always embraced his military service and leadership qualities. He had always been an outstanding example, mentor, and family hero to all generations of his family. Eddie will always be revered as an exemplary soldier, patriot, son, husband, brother, and friend. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten for generations to come. Eddie's burial service Feb. 7, 2014, at Punchbowl National Military Cemetery, Hawaii. Published in The Salinas Californian on February 6, 2014.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Edward Balli, 42, of Monterey, California, died of wounds from small arms fire when he was attacked by insurgents. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army Europe, Vilseck, Germany. He was a drone pilot. He was born and raised in Salinas and had joined the Army in 1991. He was on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan and had completed two tours in Iraq. He planned on retirement in Hawaii in four years. [Department of Defense News Release No: NR-042-14 issued January 22, 2014]
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Chief Warrant Officer 2 Edward Balli, 42, was killed in action in Afghanistan on Monday, Jan. 20, 2014. Eddie was born Feb. 9, 1971, in Salinas. He was a native of Salinas and exemplified himself as a true American since early childhood. He attended school in Salinas and graduated North High then joined the Army. In early childhood, Edward was a Boy Scout; many family members who were in the military influenced him into a career in the Army. Edward was recognized for his commitment and dedication as a noncommissioned officer and was recommended to the Army's Green to Gold program which selects qualified noncommissioned officers to become Warrant Officers. Eddie received a Bronze Star for heroism in one of his many deployments in the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, aside from the countless other medals he earned. Eddie met the love of his life when he met and married Kristy Balli. Eddie would often speak of his son, Michael and daughters, Momilani and Desirae. His entire family always embraced his military service and leadership qualities. He had always been an outstanding example, mentor, and family hero to all generations of his family. Eddie will always be revered as an exemplary soldier, patriot, son, husband, brother, and friend. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten for generations to come. Eddie's burial service Feb. 7, 2014, at Punchbowl National Military Cemetery, Hawaii. Published in The Salinas Californian on February 6, 2014.