Ballard J. Bentley served as a Staff Sergeant, 497th Bomber Squadron, 344th Bomber Group, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II (Service #6941901). He resided in Baltimore, Maryland prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army on March 31, 1943 in Huntington, West Virginia. He was noted as being employed as a Electrician and also as Single, without dependents. Ballard was "Killed In Action" during the war and was awarded the Purple Heart. - Bio submitted by Russ Pickett (FAG #46575736)
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The following article was published in the July 5, 1945, issue of The Mountain Eagle:
LETTER RECEIVED OF THE DEATH OF S SGT. BALLARD J. BENTLEY
Headquarters
344th Bombardment Group
(M) AAF
APO APO 140,c-o P. M.
New York, N.Y.,
April 20, 1945.
Mrs. Ada Bentley
Box 243
Neon, Ky.
Dear Mrs. Bentley:
It is my sad duty to confirm the announcement you have received from the War Department concerning the death of your son, S Sgt. Ballard J. Bentley, 6941901, 497th Bombardment Squadron, 344 Bombardment Group.
He was killed when the plane in which he was flying as Tail-Gunner was hit by flak over enemy territory on a combat mission. A Protestant Chaplain officiated when he was buried in the United States Military Cemetery near Margraten, Belgium.
In behalf of the Officers and Enlisted Men of this Group I wish to express our deep regret and sympathy in your sorrow. Your son made the supreme sacrifice in the service of his country. He was a splendid and courageous soldier, never for an instant shirking his duty or evading his responsibility. We here are all aware of the hazards and the dangers that await us in the prosecution of this terrible war. Your son also knew and was aware of these dangers, yet in the face of this knowledge he never faltered in the performance of his duty. He went about the performance of that duty courageously and bravely. He lived and died in the honored tradition of the American Soldier, that of believing in and holding high the democratic ideals of our country and giving his life that these ideals might live. His record is a credit to the Squadron and our Group and one by which you can well be proud. He was loved and respected by the members of his crew and of this Group.
Your son participated in twenty-five combat missions for which he was awarded the Air Medal and four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal.
As your son lies in death today you have the knowledge that he lies with the heroic dead. He gave his life for his country and for you so that the world might live.
It is my earnest prayer that God will strengthen and sustain you that you may bear your grief bravely and courageously.
Chaplain (Capt) USA Group Chaplain
Sincerely yours,
Charles J. Fox.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The following article was published in the July 5, 1945, issue of The Mountain Eagle:
LETTER RECEIVED OF THE DEATH OF S SGT. BALLARD J. BENTLEY
Headquarters
344th Bombardment Group
(M) AAF
APO APO 140,c-o P. M.
New York, N.Y.,
April 20, 1945.
Mrs. Ada Bentley
Box 243
Neon, Ky.
Dear Mrs. Bentley:
It is my sad duty to confirm the announcement you have received from the War Department concerning the death of your son, S Sgt. Ballard J. Bentley, 6941901, 497th Bombardment Squadron, 344 Bombardment Group.
He was killed when the plane in which he was flying as Tail-Gunner was hit by flak over enemy territory on a combat mission. A Protestant Chaplain officiated when he was buried in the United States Military Cemetery near Margraten, Belgium.
In behalf of the Officers and Enlisted Men of this Group I wish to express our deep regret and sympathy in your sorrow. Your son made the supreme sacrifice in the service of his country. He was a splendid and courageous soldier, never for an instant shirking his duty or evading his responsibility. We here are all aware of the hazards and the dangers that await us in the prosecution of this terrible war. Your son also knew and was aware of these dangers, yet in the face of this knowledge he never faltered in the performance of his duty. He went about the performance of that duty courageously and bravely. He lived and died in the honored tradition of the American Soldier, that of believing in and holding high the democratic ideals of our country and giving his life that these ideals might live. His record is a credit to the Squadron and our Group and one by which you can well be proud. He was loved and respected by the members of his crew and of this Group.
Your son participated in twenty-five combat missions for which he was awarded the Air Medal and four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal.
As your son lies in death today you have the knowledge that he lies with the heroic dead. He gave his life for his country and for you so that the world might live.
It is my earnest prayer that God will strengthen and sustain you that you may bear your grief bravely and courageously.
Chaplain (Capt) USA Group Chaplain
Sincerely yours,
Charles J. Fox.
Ballard J. Bentley served as a Staff Sergeant, 497th Bomber Squadron, 344th Bomber Group, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II (Service #6941901). He resided in Baltimore, Maryland prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army on March 31, 1943 in Huntington, West Virginia. He was noted as being employed as a Electrician and also as Single, without dependents. Ballard was "Killed In Action" during the war and was awarded the Purple Heart. - Bio submitted by Russ Pickett (FAG #46575736)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The following article was published in the July 5, 1945, issue of The Mountain Eagle:
LETTER RECEIVED OF THE DEATH OF S SGT. BALLARD J. BENTLEY
Headquarters
344th Bombardment Group
(M) AAF
APO APO 140,c-o P. M.
New York, N.Y.,
April 20, 1945.
Mrs. Ada Bentley
Box 243
Neon, Ky.
Dear Mrs. Bentley:
It is my sad duty to confirm the announcement you have received from the War Department concerning the death of your son, S Sgt. Ballard J. Bentley, 6941901, 497th Bombardment Squadron, 344 Bombardment Group.
He was killed when the plane in which he was flying as Tail-Gunner was hit by flak over enemy territory on a combat mission. A Protestant Chaplain officiated when he was buried in the United States Military Cemetery near Margraten, Belgium.
In behalf of the Officers and Enlisted Men of this Group I wish to express our deep regret and sympathy in your sorrow. Your son made the supreme sacrifice in the service of his country. He was a splendid and courageous soldier, never for an instant shirking his duty or evading his responsibility. We here are all aware of the hazards and the dangers that await us in the prosecution of this terrible war. Your son also knew and was aware of these dangers, yet in the face of this knowledge he never faltered in the performance of his duty. He went about the performance of that duty courageously and bravely. He lived and died in the honored tradition of the American Soldier, that of believing in and holding high the democratic ideals of our country and giving his life that these ideals might live. His record is a credit to the Squadron and our Group and one by which you can well be proud. He was loved and respected by the members of his crew and of this Group.
Your son participated in twenty-five combat missions for which he was awarded the Air Medal and four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal.
As your son lies in death today you have the knowledge that he lies with the heroic dead. He gave his life for his country and for you so that the world might live.
It is my earnest prayer that God will strengthen and sustain you that you may bear your grief bravely and courageously.
Chaplain (Capt) USA Group Chaplain
Sincerely yours,
Charles J. Fox.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The following article was published in the July 5, 1945, issue of The Mountain Eagle:
LETTER RECEIVED OF THE DEATH OF S SGT. BALLARD J. BENTLEY
Headquarters
344th Bombardment Group
(M) AAF
APO APO 140,c-o P. M.
New York, N.Y.,
April 20, 1945.
Mrs. Ada Bentley
Box 243
Neon, Ky.
Dear Mrs. Bentley:
It is my sad duty to confirm the announcement you have received from the War Department concerning the death of your son, S Sgt. Ballard J. Bentley, 6941901, 497th Bombardment Squadron, 344 Bombardment Group.
He was killed when the plane in which he was flying as Tail-Gunner was hit by flak over enemy territory on a combat mission. A Protestant Chaplain officiated when he was buried in the United States Military Cemetery near Margraten, Belgium.
In behalf of the Officers and Enlisted Men of this Group I wish to express our deep regret and sympathy in your sorrow. Your son made the supreme sacrifice in the service of his country. He was a splendid and courageous soldier, never for an instant shirking his duty or evading his responsibility. We here are all aware of the hazards and the dangers that await us in the prosecution of this terrible war. Your son also knew and was aware of these dangers, yet in the face of this knowledge he never faltered in the performance of his duty. He went about the performance of that duty courageously and bravely. He lived and died in the honored tradition of the American Soldier, that of believing in and holding high the democratic ideals of our country and giving his life that these ideals might live. His record is a credit to the Squadron and our Group and one by which you can well be proud. He was loved and respected by the members of his crew and of this Group.
Your son participated in twenty-five combat missions for which he was awarded the Air Medal and four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal.
As your son lies in death today you have the knowledge that he lies with the heroic dead. He gave his life for his country and for you so that the world might live.
It is my earnest prayer that God will strengthen and sustain you that you may bear your grief bravely and courageously.
Chaplain (Capt) USA Group Chaplain
Sincerely yours,
Charles J. Fox.
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