Chaney High grad in Iraq excels in physical, mental strength tests

YOUNGSTOWN — A Mahoning Valley native serving in Iraq has proved his military mettle.

Staff Sgt. James Balog recently placed first among his peers in Basra, Iraq, in a contest of physical endurance, weapons proficiency and military knowledge.

“It was difficult. Every second of it,” Balog said. “It was continuous physically. We went all day long from 3 a.m. until 4 p.m.”

In addition, temperatures hit 100 degrees on competition day in Basra, Balog said.

He is serving his third deployment in Iraq as a Black Hawk door gunner assigned to the Enhanced Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. He is now on leave in Kansas, where he now lives.

He attended Chaney High School in Youngstown and went to Youngstown State University for two years before being called up for active duty.

For the complete story, see Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com