Roy N Ball
Military ROLL OF HONOURShot down 17 August 1943 in B-17 #42-3333 'Purgatory Pete'. Returned to base.
Shot down 16 November 1943 in B-17 #42-30455 'Schifliss Skunk'. Plane crashed into North Sea. Killed in Action (KIA).
Staff Sergeant Roy N. Ball was born on October 23, 1921. His next of kin were his parents, John and Elva Ball. His hometown was Rantoul, Kansas.
On November 16, 1943, his B-17, nicknamed “Schifliss Skunk,” tail #42-30455, of the 390th Bomb Group, 569th Bomb Squadron, was shot down by German aircraft on return from a mission to the Heavy Water plant at Rjukan, Norway. The B-17 went down in the North Sea off Varhoug, Norway.
There were no survivors from the crew, and the remains of SSGT Ball were never recovered.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 569th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 20504412
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Assistant engineer and waist gunner
Aircraft
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Kansas, USA | 23 October 1921 | Staff Sergeant Roy N. Ball was born on October 23, 1921. His next of kin were his parents, John and Elva Ball. His hometown was Rantoul, Kansas. |
|
Died |
16 November 1943 | On November 16, 1943, his B-17, nicknamed “Schifliss Skunk,” tail #42-30455, of the 390th Bomb Group, 569th Bomb Squadron, was shot down by German aircraft on return from a mission to the Heavy Water plant at Rjukan, Norway. The B-17 went down in the North Sea off Varhoug, Norway. There were no survivors from the crew, and the remains of SSGT Ball were never recovered. | |
|
Other Killed in Action (KIA) |
North Sea | 16 November 1943 | |
|
Other Returned (RTD) |
Mediterranean Sea | 17 August 1943 |
Revisions
NARA files verified ASN and AM with one Oak Leaf Cluster. He earned the ACM, the EAME Campaign Medal with at least one bronze service star. His Purple Heart was awarded posthumously.
Added a "-" to the A/C serial numbers in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.
IDPF and/or crash report researched by Bill Beigel. IDPF donated to American Air Museum by Bill Beigel. For more information about this flyer, you may contact http://ww2research.com.
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 1400 / MACR 389 / MACR 389; MACR 1400, Losses of 8th & 9th AFs Vol I by Bishop & Hey p. 374 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database