Rank
Class Of
1944
Branch
MIA/KIA
KIA
Conflict
Born
April 2, 1922
Died
Jan. 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.