Col. Edward J. Ballanco
COL Edward Joseph (Ed) Ballanco graduated from Florida State University as a Distinguished Military Graduate and was commissioned as an Armor officer in 1996. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and International Relations, and a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the University of South Carolina. COL Ballanco’s past assignments include Tank Platoon Leader and Tank Company Executive Officer in 1-72 Armor, Korea; Company Executive Officer and Battalion S-3 in 2-13 Infantry at Fort Jackson, SC; Battalion S4, Tank Company Commander, and Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander in 4-64 Armor, Fort Stewart, GA. Observer-Controller at the Joint Multi-National Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany; Battalion Executive Officer for 1-8 Infantry and Brigade Executive Officer for 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO, and commander of 5-20 Infantry. COL Ballanco’s combat and operational deployments include: Operation Iraqi Freedom I (2003) and III (2005), and Operation New Dawn (Iraq, 2010).
COL Ballanco’s military schools include: Armor Officer Basic Course, Armor Captain’s Career Course, CAS3, the Swiss Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.
His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device, Army Commendation with two oak leaf clusters, the Combat Action Badge, and unit and campaign medals.
Colonel Ballanco was born in Del Rio Texas. He is married to Jeannette Ballanco and they have three children.