Today I would like to honor the memory of my great-uncle Sam H. Ball, Jr. I’ve posted about my Uncle Son’s heroic time in WWII before and if you missed it click here to read more about him.
I was very privileged recently to visit with my cousin Karen Ball Cowan, Sam’s daughter and she graciously shared these photos with me and gave me permission to post them here.
Capt. Sam H. Ball enlisted in the Army on 31 May 1940. He served until 5 Jan 1946 in Company “A” 146 th Engineer Combat Battalion when he was Honorably Discharged. He remained in the inactive reserve until 16 Aug 1953. He was also a member of the draft board.
After the war, Sam was a salesman for KTFS Radio Station in Texarkana for 35 years.
Please enjoy the pictures.
Officers from Company “A” 146th Engineers:
Here is the back of this photo:
The gentlemen in this photo are not identified, but I recognize Sam standing in the middle.
These are some postcards that he had:
Here is a picture of them constructing a bridge, I have no idea where this is.
Mess tent the 146th Engineer Combat Battalion WWII
Taking a rest – the 146th Engineer Combat Battalion WWII
the 146th Engineer Combat Battalion WWII
WWII Capt. Sam H. Ball, Jr. in the middle, others unknown
In a bunker maybe? – the 146th Engineer Combat Battalion WWII
In a bunker maybe? – the 146th Engineer Combat Battalion WWII
Sparing – the 146th Engineer Combat Battalion WWII
Marching – the 146th Engineer Combat Battalion WWII
Tents of the 146th Engineer Combat Battalion WWII
Russian Lt. and Capt. Sam H. Ball, Jr. with pistols WWII
Destruction. Vossenack, Germany.
Destruction in Vossenack, Germany
Destruction in Vossenack, Germany
Destruction in Vossenack, Germany
Wow! Is all I can say about these maps.
A Pictorial Map History of the 146 Engrs from June 6, 1944 to May 8, 1945
A Pictorial Map History of the 146 Engrs from June 6, 1944 to May 8, 1945
A Pictorial Map History of the 146 Engrs from June 6, 1944 to May 8, 1945
Liberation!! These are some postcards that he had:
Liberation WWII
Liberation WWII
Liberation WWII
Liberation WWII
Liberation WWII
Liberation WWII
Liberation WWII
More recognition for a job well done:
Maj Willard B Baker and Capt Sam H Ball Jr news article
Maj Willard B Baker and Capt Sam H Ball Jr
Reunions:
Normandy Reunion
Omaha Reunion Lubbock Texas 1984 40th anniversary
Omaha Reunion Lubbock Texas 1984
Omaha Beach Reunion article
Remembering the War:
Remembering the War Sam Ball Jr
Sam Ball Jr Remembers Omaha Beach article 1988
It’s overwhelming and humbling to look through his collections of photos from this time in his life and realize the magnitude of what he went through, and to know what a good man he was after the war.
If he ever had any problems that bothered him from his time in the war, I never heard him complain and neither did my grandmother, Mary Parks, his sister. That’s just the kind of guy he was and I am so proud to have known him, if only I could have heard some of the stories!
Susie
