World War II Honoree

Joseph J. Ballay

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Ted Wahl

Relationship

Family Friend

SERGEANT IN PATTON'S 4TH ARMORED DIVISION, 1943-1945. SERVED IN FRANCE, ENGLAND, BELGIUM AND CZECHOSLOVAKIA. HE BECAME A CHAPLAIN'S ASSISTANT. SPENT MANY HOURS DRIVING A JEEP AND ASSISTED IN SERVING MASS. ONE CHRISTMAS MASS OCCURRED IN THE REMNANTS OF A BOMBED OUT BUILDING. HE WAS AN EXCELLENT PIANO PLAYER SO WHEREVER THERE WAS A PIANO, HE WOULD BE PRESSED INTO SERVICE. IN THE FINAL ASSAULT ON GERMANY, HE WAS INVOLVED IN THE RHINELAND CAMPAIGN AND WAS PRESENT DURING THE LIBERATION OF A CONCENTRATION CAMP. AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE UNDER ENEMY FIRE WHEN HE BRAVELY RISKED HIS LIFE TO SAVE A WOUNDED SOLDER.