PVT George W. Ballard
Private (PVT) George W. Ballard of Dog Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Geneva, Seminole County, Florida, to Frederick and Edna M. (Geiger) Ballard on June 30, 1922. George had one younger brother, Edwin R. Ballard, who served with the U.S. Navy during WWII
George Ballard registered for the draft on June 30, 1942. Less than a month later, on July 28, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Camp Blanding, Orange County, Florida, and was assigned to Dog Company, 502nd PIR.
PVT Ballard jumped into Normandy on D-Day, taking part in the battles with Dog Company against the Germans. On June 13, the Germans launched a strong counterattack in the vicinity of Carentan, threatening to retake the town. To avoid this, the 502nd was ordered to Carentan to prevent the fall of it into German hands. During the combat actions that day, PVT George Ballard was killed by an artillery shell.
Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
Morning Report (Courtesy of Felipe Jirkal and Brian Siddall)
PVT George Ballard is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France, at Plot E, Row 7, Grave 38. He is also remembered with a cenotaph at Geneva Cemetery in his hometown in Florida. May he rest in peace.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, George.
Lest we forget. 🇺🇸