World War II Honoree

Wayne Earl Ballard

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Benkelmen, Nebraska

Honored By

Dwayne Ballard

Relationship

Son

He was inducted into the Army during WWII at Fort Logan, Denver, Colorado on 23 June 1942. He began active service on 7 July 1942, receiving his basic training at Camp Roberts, California and Camp George Meade, Maryland. In January 1943 he was sent to Casablanca and joined the 3rd Division, 7th Infantry. He was active in the Africa, Sicily and Italian campaigns receiving the Order of the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on 9 August 1943 during action in Sicily. While in the hospital, he often commented his only claim to fame during the war was being in the bed next to private that General Patton slapped. He later did military police work guarding prisoners in Africa. He received his Honorable discharge on 4 October 1945 has a Technician 5th Grade for the 9205th Technical Service Unit.