Memorial

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Herman Ballard completed 18 missions before he was shot down by an enemy ME262. First attack 6 to 7 O'Clock level broke off to left level above. This attack repeated by waves of one to four A/C. A/C 43-38575 dived and exploded in the air. No chutes were seen.
"1st. Lt. Herman L. Ballard, 20, pilot of a Flying Fortress in England, is missing in action over Germany since March 21, according to a telegram from the War Department received by his mother, Mrs. Deborah A. Ballard, 404 West Sugartree street. Lt. Ballard, who formerly lived at Port William and attended school there until he was about 15 years of age, entered the service from Columbus about two years ago and went overseas early in December 1944. Last letter Mrs Ballard received from her son was written March 13, eight days before he was reported missing. The B-17 pilot is a graduate of North high school in Columbus."
"According to a dispatch received by the News-Journal from "An Eight Air Force Bomber Station, England," 1st. Lt. Herman L. Ballard, son of Mrs. Deborah Ballard, 404 West Sugartree street, Wilmington, has been awarded the Air Medal for "meritorious achievement" on bombing attacks against German targets. Mrs. Ballard has received word from the War Department that her son is missing in action over Germany since March 21. The dispatch continued: "The airman showed 'courage, coulness and skill' while serving as a pilot with the 490th Bomb Group, a B-17 Flying Fortress unit of the Eighth Air Force. Prior to entering the Army Air Forces in November, 1942, he was employed by the Army Depot in Columbus."