Blackburn Wert Ballard was born on July 16, 1891 in West Virginia. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I as a Corporal in Company A, 1st Engineer Combat Battalion, 1st Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action on October 10, 1918 in France at the age of 27 and is now buried in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Departement de la Meuse, Lorraine, France. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the citation is as follows:
Ballard, Blackburn W. (154334) Corporal, Company A, 1st Engineers, 1st Division Near Verdun, France, Oct. 9, 1918
Advancing alone ahead of his squad, in the face of unusual machine-gun fire, he set out to attack a machine-gun nest. He so inspired his men that they came to his assistance, and under his direction the stronghold was taken, together with many prisoners. While guarding the collected prisoners he was killed. Posthumously awarded. Medal presented to his father R. B. Ballard.
R-Colusa, Calif. B- Colusa, Calif. G.O. No. 44, W.D., 1919." American Decorations, P.145.