Marine Gunnery Sgt. Terry W. Ball Jr.
Death: Aug 05, 2005
of East Peoria Ill.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment 2nd Marine Division II Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Lejeune N.C.; Died Aug. 5 of wounds sustained in an explosion June 12 while he was conducting combat operations in Karmah Iraq. Marine Died from wounds suffered in explosion Associated Press Terry W. Ball Jr.’s work ethic was something you had to respect. Just ask his football coach. “I’ve been coaching a long time” said Jim Dulin. “There’s 15 or 20 kids you never forget. He was one of them. A hard worker an overachiever one of the kids you never had to worry about.” Ball36 of East Peoria Ill. Died Aug. 5 in a Maryland hospital of wounds he suffered in an explosion in Karmah on June 12. He was based at Camp Lejeune. “He promised he would come home and he did” said his wife Jennifer. “I think that’s all he could do.” Ball had suffered brain injuries kidney damage the amputation of his left leg and was in a coma when President Bush came to the hospital to award him a Purple Heart. He also had been awarded the Bronze Star. Ball who was a co-captain of the wrestling and football teams in high school which he graduated in 1987 joined the Marines with his cousin Jeff for adventure. “He was a leader” said high school friend Tom Simpson. “You always knew he had your back.” He also is survived by his children: 8-year-old Gavin 5-year-old Riley and 1-year-old Ethan. Operation Enduring Freedom