My father was Milt Balog. I was 11 when this occurred 47 years ago this Monday. Who are you? You you knew the Copilot, did you also know my dad?

I didn't know your dad. I am so sorry for you loss. He must have been a great dad. I knew Bob Lewis very well. He took me up for my first plane ride and let me fly it for about 20 minutes. I was driving in my car when i heard of the plane going down. I had a feeling he was on the plane. I had been quizzing him on a test he was about to take just a few days before. He knew all the answers and would surely have passed. Something that stuck in my mind - When i was flying with Bob that day we saw a few Turkey Buzzards nearby. He told me that birds were one of the worst things to aviod. He was crop dusting once in Southern NJ when a duck crashed into the front windshield. He was lucky that day as it only broke the window. When i heard the cause of flight 297 going down it really hit me. I found this site a while back and decided to revisit it. I'm originally from Williamstown NJ. but have lived in Pompano Beach FL. for about 30 years now. Thank you for responding. God Bless you and your family. My Best wishes. Milt McILvaine

Milt,
I wish I had the chance to know him. I also lost my mom when I was 13, 2 years after my dad. I went to boarding schools and my sister was raised by his parents. I'm always a little melancholy this time of year and because of that I googled United Airlines crash November 23, 1962 and found your post. I did locate his navigator from 25 missions in the 445th BG a few years ago and went to Lewistown, PA to meet him. His name is Jay Ream and he will be 85 this March. Still very sharp mentally but starting to have some physical problems. Jay and I have stayed in touch and he’s become like a second dad.
I might have meant Bob but I was so young that I don’t remember him. I think I remember my father’s parents saying that my dad had been helping him study and that he was going to be a good Captain.
I retired after 22 years in the Army in 1992 and have been employed as an engineer in Huntsville, AL since. My wife works for the federal government and can retire this Feb so we are looking at different locations for retirement. God bless you and yours too.
John Balog

John, You must be proud of your dad. His life was flying. Glad you got to meet his navigator. He probably told you much about your dad. I saw that your dads nanme was Milt and that he flew for Capitol Airlines before thay merged with United. My first commercial flight was on Capitol in 1960. I flew from Atlanta to Philadelphia when i was in the Army at Fort Benning GA. I spent 19 months in Germany with a border patrol unit. I was there when the Berlin Wall first went up in AUG. 1961. I got out Nov. 1 1962 and got together with Bob only a few times before the accident. Bob had just got engaged and had bought a new white Caddy Covertable. He was so happy. Another strange quirk, a guy named Milt bought the rights to the Capitol name. HE formed a small airline in the northeast. He was flying a guy who was really distressed. The guy pulled a gun and shot him. Both were killed. I see you live in Huntsville. I have a photographer friend online that lives in Madison. She photographs locally. She recently did a model shoot with models and clasic cars at the Huntsville Mall. My hobbys are sports and photography. I don't have a lot of time though as i have to care for my mother who is 93 and bedridden. My dad was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver when i was 18 and my two brothers passed away in their 50s so i'm the only one she has to look after her . I promised her that i would never put her in a nursing home. I know this is a rough time of the year for you but i hope you and yours have a nice Thanksgiving. My best wishes, Milt