Rank: 
SSgt.
Class of: 
1944
Branch: 
Army Air Forces
MIA/KIA: 
KIA
Conflict: 
WWII
Born: 
Sunday, April 2, 1922
Died : 
Tuesday, January 11, 1944
Awards: 
Purple Heart w/ Oak leaf cluster, Air Medal, Presidential Citation, European Theater Medal w/ battle stars
Buried: 
Ardennes American Cemetery Plot (D, Row 1, grave 41) Neupre Belgium
Image: 
Biography: 

Sgt Ball was the ball turret gunner on the B-17F #42-5878 "Yankee Eagle" in the 533rd bomber squadron, 381st bombardment group, 8th Air Force operating in Germany. During their 59th mission in Europe, aiming to destroy the German aircraft factories in Oschersleben, Germany the plane was downed. The Yankee Eagle was rammed by an FW-190 between the #1 and #2 engines. The planes exploded, with the Yankee eagle loosing a wing and being engulfed in flames. The planes remains crashed into the country side below, all of this resulting in a total loss of the Yankee Eagle's crew. Sgt Ball is buried in the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neupre, Belgium. 

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/172723