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Submit- Full
name
BALL, Ira Leonard - Date of
birth
13 July 1922 -
Age
22 - Place of
birth
Fairbanks, Major County, Oklahoma -
Hometown
Major County, Oklahoma
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-761848 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
Pilot -
Unit
836th Bombardment Squadron,
487th Bombardment Group, Heavy
-
Awards
Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
24 December 1944 - Place of
death
unknown
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 7 | 11 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Ira R. Ball (father)
Ruth E. (Lemmons) Ball (mother)
Robert Ball (brother)
Elsie I. Ball (sister)
Charles L. Ball (brother)
Plane data
- Serial
number
43-37589 -
Data
Type: B-17G
Destination: Badenhausen, Germany
Mission: Operational
MACR: 11559
More information
The aircraft was hit by four fighters who came out of the sun at about two or three o'clock. They shot away the rudder control. As the enemy aircraft came in there was an explosion and a smell of gas and smoke in the plane. #2 engine was on fire, also either #3 or #4. Lt Sperber yelled into his interphone but he heard no response. He then noticed that the Bombardier had taken his mask off and was putting his chute on. Lt Sperber then put his chute on and moved to the escape hatch. He pulled the handle, which came off and the door remained clodes. He kicked the door open and bailed out. The bombardier followed him out.Statement by Lt Sperber.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, www.ancestry.com Family Tree, www.fold3.com MACR
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Storiesbehindthestars.org