1LT KENNETH J. BALL, USMC
Class
1954
Born
March 23, 1931
Died
January 22, 1957
Age
25
Hometown
Utica, New York
Lucky Bag Yearbook
From the 1954 Lucky Bag:
Kenneth John Ball
FOOTBALL—4,3,2,1. TRACK—4,3,2,1. CROSS COUNTRY—3. VARSITY: SOCCER—4.
Ken decided on a Navy career just after his graduation from high school in Utica, New York. He came to us from the fleet via NAPS. Although he was slightly bowlegged, he was one of the most popular men in the class. The batt was lucky enough to garner his services in both track and football, two sports in which speed is appreciated. A constant dragger, Ken seldom missed a hop in Dahlgren Hall. His pet peeve was the skinny department, which he managed to overcome each term by guts and hard work. Only the prospect of dragging could dislodge him from his weekend sessions in the sack. He’s interested in Navy Air.
He was a member of the 15th Company staff for the third set.
Loss
Ken died on January 22, 1957, of injuries sustained in a parachute accident at Camp Pendelton, California on January 17, 1957.
Other Information
He was survived by his wife, Shirley. (Information from March 1957 issue of Shipmate.)
From researcher Kathy Franz:
In 1947 at Utica Free Academy, he was vice-president of the Der Deutche Verein.
Also survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Ball.
He is buried in New York.
Class of 1954
Kenneth is one of 37 members of the Class of 1954 on Virtual Memorial Hall.
