World War II Honoree
Killed In Action
Clarence Monroe Ball
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Boston, Massachusetts
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
Rank: Signalman Second Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy April 4, 1939 at Saint Louis, Missouri. Following his Basic Military Training at the U.S. Naval Training Station Great Lakes, Illinois and along with any additional training; he was transferred to the USS Capelin Submarine (SS-289) for duty. The USS Capelin and her shipmates; were assigned duty with the Submarine Force, in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Wednesday, November 17, 1943 the USS Capelin departed Darwin on her second mission; patrolling the areas near Kaoe Bay Location: Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations. Thursday, December 9, 1943 he was reported Missing-in-Action; along with his gallant crew members, gone without a trace, and will “Remain on Eternal Patrol”. The USS Capelin will remain in the list of ships lost, without an unknown cause. Japanese records studied after the war, listed an attack on a United States Submarine in the Celebes Sea 23 November off Kaoe Bay, Halmahera, Indonesia. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines. In his Memory, this American Patriot received the following decorations posthumously: Purple Heart, Navy-Marine Corps Medal. The Purple Heart was awarded for his Heroism, and ultimate sacrifice. He served his Country with Pride and Honor.