[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 123 (Thursday, July 20, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING LT. COLONEL TED BALLARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 2017

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to honor a 
true American hero who has continued to make a difference in the lives 
of many throughout his life. Lt. Colonel Arthur ``Ted'' Ballard Jr. was 
born in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1932. He is a graduate of 
Spartanburg Senior High School, Spartanburg Junior College, and 
attended Clemson University.
  In 1954, Ted joined the U.S. Air Force as an Aviation Cadet and 
received his silver pilot's wings and commission the following year. In 
1955, he married the love of his life, Ruth. Their son, Kevin, was born 
in 1959.
  In June of 1966, Ted was deployed to the Korat Air Force Base in 
Thailand to begin flying combat missions over Vietnam. On September 26, 
1966, during his 68th mission, Ted's F-105 was shot down by ground 
fire, forcing Ted to eject the aircraft over enemy territory just north 
of Hanoi. He suffered a broken left leg and was captured and interned 
by the North Vietnamese. Ted remained as a prisoner of war for six 
years, spending time in the infamous ``Hanoi Hilton.''
  Upon his release in March of 1973, Ted returned to the United States 
and underwent medical treatment and recovery until August of that year. 
He and his wife decided to finish their undergraduate degrees after his 
return. Ted went on to earn a master's degree and serve on the faculty 
of the USAF War College before retiring in 1975. He and his wife moved 
back to Spartanburg, South Carolina, where Ted became the instructor 
for the Air Force Junior ROTC program at Gaffney High School. He 
retired in 1997 after teaching for 22 years.
  Sadly, Ted lost his son in 2009 and his wife in 2015. Upon his wife's 
death, Ted established the Dr. Kevin Dale Ballard 1980 Endowed 
Scholarship Fund at Wofford College, in South Carolina, in memory of 
both his brilliant son and loving wife. The scholarship will be awarded 
to a deserving Wofford College student studying science, technology, or 
medicine for the first time this fall.
  On May 7, 2017, Ted was presented the Order of the Palmetto, South 
Carolina's highest civilian honor, by Governor Henry McMaster for his 
admirable service to the citizens of South Carolina.
  A truly remarkable man, Ted continues to share the extraordinary 
story of his life, his time as a POW, and his time in the armed forces. 
He has made South Carolina and our nation proud.

                          ____________________