World War II Honoree

James D. Ball

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Akron, Ohio

Honored By

Larry Rickert

SERVED WITH THE 66TH TROOP CARRIER SQUADRON, 433RD AIR GROUP, 5TH AIR FORCE IN NEW GUINEA. THE 66TH WAS ACTIVATED IN DECEMBER 1942 UNDER THE COMMAND OF THE 403RD AIR TRANSPORT GROUP AND ARRIVED IN NEW GUINEA IN JULY, 1943 TO BEGIN COMBAT SUPPORT OPERATIONS. IN SEPTEMBER 1943, THE 65TH AND 66TH SQUADRONS WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE 433RD AIR TRANSPORT GROUP. DURING THE WAR, THE 66TH RECEIVED THE U.S. AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATIONS. HE WAS A PILOT ON A C-47 TRANSPORT AND HAD LOGGED 341 COMBAT MISSIONS BY JULY 1944.