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1st Lt Ballard enlisted in June 1941. He completed Advanced Intelligence School at Fort Bragg with a grade of "superior" and commendations from his superiors. When the division left for Europe, he was left behind as a member of an instructional team and sent to Maxton Glider training Center, North Carolina, for advanced training. After teaching at Alliance, Nebraska, he was transferred to Fort Riley, Kansas, for a course in baking and dehydrated foods. Shortly after 25 January 1944, he left the States to be sent directly as a replacement officer in the infantry to the Anzio Beachhead.

Seriously injured in the fighting near Rome, he was in a Naples hospital from 1 June to 20 August 1944 and when recovered was transferred to the 45th Infantry Division and sent to southern France.

He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The citation cited: For heroic achievement in action on 7 November 1944. Lt Ballard's platoon was moving into an attack when the enemy suddenly engaged the unit from the front and flanks. Lt.Ballard found himself in a posi tion exposed to enemy sniper and machine gun fire, but he immediate ly began to move through the platoon area, checking each position and en couraging his men to lay down a base of fire to enable the platoon on the left to advance. As intensity of enemy fire increased, the hostile force succeeded in infiltrating to within grenade distance, but Lt Bal lard maintained his position. Al though painfully wounded, he refused to be evacuated, skillfully directing his platoon's fire until the adjacent unit had reached its objective. He subsequently led his platoon forward in a successful attack on enemy posi tions, consolidated his gains, and re pulsed a counter-attack with severe losses to the enemy.