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name
BALLARD, John Claiborne Jr - Date of
birth
13 June 1924 -
Age
20 - Place of
birth
Bedford, Bedford County, Virginia -
Hometown
Front Royal, Warren County, Virginia
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
33642481 -
Rank
Private -
Function
Rifleman -
Unit
A Company,
1st Battalion,
502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment,
101st Airborne Division,
3rd Platoon
-
Awards
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
4 January 1945 - Place of
death
High grounds, west of Champs, community of Bertogne, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| F | 15 | 35 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John C. Ballard (father)
More information
Pvt John C. Ballard Jr. attended high school for three years. He was employed by the Pettyjohn Construction Co.He enlisted in Richmond, Virginia on 29 June 1943.
A comrade, Pfc Ted Goldmann, recalled the circumstances of Pvt Ballard's death in het book "The battered bastards of Bastogne" by George Koskimaki. At that time A Company was positioned west of Champs in support of the 1st Battalion of the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment:
"The 3rd Platoon spearheaded this counter-attack and regained their previous position only to be pinned down by tive tanks and they had no tank support of their own, although some was coming up. Johnny had a bazooka and Sgt Asay, taking my job, was loading for him. Having the only anti-tank weapon, they were firing it at the tanks but no avail. Four ronds bounced of the thick armor. Just as Johnny was getting set to fire the 5th round, a mortar shell hit near by and the shrapnel from it killed Johnny instantly but left Asay untouched."
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, Raf Dyckmans, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov, "The Battered Bastards of Bastogne" by George Koskimaki, www.ww2-airborne.us
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Ballard Family