Contains a detailed memoir of Ballard's pre-military and military experiences. Discusses the hardships he underwent to obtain his pilot's license, his marriage, and his certainty that he would be drafted into military service. Includes extensive details about military life on the training bases, especially the difficultly of being separated from his family for extended periods of time. After nearly a year of training, he received his overseas assignment to Foggia, Italy. The bulk of the memoir relating to his combat experience discusses a bombing mission to the Romanian oil fields at Ploesti in which Ballard's plane was shot down, killing most of the crew and leaving him with severe injuries. He was subsequently captured as a POW and sent to Bucuresti. Contains a description of how Ballard befriended a prison guard who later returned numerous favors and protected him from abuse and possible execution. Also discusses his liberation, after nearly 100 days, from the prison camp following the Romanian government's capitulation to the Allies. Briefly describes his return trip to the U.S., his rehabilitation, his decision not to undergo back surgery because of a strong spiritual feeling, and his discharge. Includes a newspaper article reporting his status as missing in action over Romania. Photographs show Ballard in military dress, in full flight gear, and together with his B-24 Bomber crew. Also contains a photograph of a B-24 Liberator. Includes two telegrams from the Adjutant General: one informing Ballard's wife that he was missing in action, and another notifying her that he was taken as a prisoner of war in Romania.
