World War II Honoree

Howell Sylvester Ballard

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Lubbock, Texas

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AND SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER. STATIONED AT FORT ARMSTRONG, IN THE MOUTH OF THE PORT OF HONOLULU, HAWAII A FEW MILES FROM PEARL HARBOR. ASSIGNED TO A HEAVY AUTOMOTIVE ORDNANCE UNIT, HE WAS PLAYING TOUCH FOOTBALL AT THE TIME OF THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. ARMED ONLY WITH .45 CALIBER PISTOLS, HE AND OTHERS COULD DO LITTLE TO EFFECT THE BATTLE. HIS COMPANY SPENT THE WEEKS FOLLOWING THE ATTACK WORKING AS STEVEDORES AND CLEANING WEAPONS THAT HAD BEEN IN STORAGE, IN CASE THE JAPANESE RETURNED. A PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR. IN 1944, SERVED AT SAIPAN IN THE MARIANA ISLANDS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED IN JULY, 1945.