Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Joe
Frederick
Ball

The remaining 112 survivors of the U.S.S. Cooper were subsequently rescued by another VPB-34 Catalina which taxied to safety outside the bay where they were offloaded onto another ship.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Patrol-Bombing Squadron 34 (VPB-34)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Joe Frederick Ball (NSN: 0-157149), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. During a period of hazardous night operations in the Bismarck Sea area, as co-pilot of a PBY-5 aircraft, he took part in successful attacks against enemy shipping. He assisted in the destruction of a large merchant vessel in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, by releasing a 1,000-pound bomb which scored a direct hit on the ship, and further contributed to the damaging of a small ship and numerous barges. By his actions he demonstrated outstanding skill as an airman and great courage and coolness under fire, and his action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Patrol-Bombing Squadron 34 (VPB-34)

    Action Date:

    July 30, 1944
    Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 02816 (November 7, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Joe Frederick Ball (NSN: 0-157149), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. On the night of 30 July 1944, as Commander of a PBY-5 aircraft patrolling in the vicinity of the enemy stronghold of Amboina, he attacked a large transport escorted by three warships, scoring four direct hits in a low-altitude run which resulted in the sinking of the vessel. His courageous conduct and his outstanding professional skill on this occasion were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant, Junior Grade

    Batallion:

    Patrol-Bombing Squadron 34 (VPB-34)

    Action Date:

    August 28, 1944
    Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 0141 (January 7, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Joe Frederick Ball (NSN: 0-157149), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action. On 28 August 1944, as Commander of a Catalina aircraft in Patrol-Bombing Squadron THIRTY-FOUR (VPB-34), on night combat patrol in the Netherlands East Indies, he entered the strongly fortified enemy base of Manado Bay and, in five daring and aggressive attacks carried out at masthead height in bright moonlight, within easy range of powerful enemy anti-aircraft batteries, hit and seriously damaged or destroyed a large enemy merchantman. In the course of these attacks he received intense and accurate fire which damaged is aircraft. His actions on this occasion were courageous and skillful, and displayed the utmost determination to bring destruction to a powerfully armed and protected enemy. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Patrol-Bombing Squadron 34 (VPB-34)

    Action Date:

    December 3, 1944
    Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 2350 (June 8, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Joe Frederick Ball (NSN: 0-157149), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Commander of a Navy PBY-5 Patrol Plane in Patrol-Bombing Squadron THIRTY-FOUR (VPB-34). On 3 December 1944, Lieutenant Ball, as Patrol Plane Commander of a Navy Catalina aircraft landed his plane on the waters of Ormoc Bay, Leyte, and picked up a total of 56 survivors from the U.S.S. COOPER which had been sunk during the previous night. He carried out the entire rescue with consummate skill and with total and repeated disregard for his personal safety, remaining on the water for almost an hour with many enemy planes in the vicinity, and repeatedly taxiing his plane well within point-blank range of guns on the enemy-held coastline and of two enemy warships, in his effort to pick up survivors. When his plane could hold no more, he was forced to make a run of three miles in order to get off the water. Upon becoming airborne, he elected to fly his plane home unescorted in order to provide the quickest possible medical treatment for his passengers, many of whom were wounded, and succeeded in returning his plane and passengers safely to base. His courage and heroic conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.