The Living Messenger for Kerr County Heroes

Close-up image of the Kerr County War Memorial, 2024.

Mistakes happen, but sometimes a mistake becomes a remarkable thing, especially when combined with grace and humor.

As a separate project, I’ve been studying the men from Kerr County who gave their lives for our country. Most of the stories are very sad, mainly because the men who died were so very young. They were sons, some were husbands, and some were fathers. They left behind families who carried their grief for their fallen hero for the rest of their lives.

There is one name on the Kerr County War Memorial which was added in error. Dempsey E. Ballard, the second name listed among the men from here who died in World War II, did not die in that war. In fact, he attended the dedication ceremony of the war memorial here, May 1992.

I was at that dedication ceremony. I remember Ballard speaking to the crowd.

He opened with a touch of humor: “It’s a pleasure to be here – and that should really have a ring of sincerity.” This brought laughter from the crowd.

But then he continued, saying it was fortunate that his name accidentally ended up on the memorial.

“These heroes have a messenger to relay their story,” he said. He added that he remembered many of the men listed on the monument. “Let us not be lulled by current events. Those who would be conquerors respect only superior strength.”

A search through old newspapers finds many mentions of Dempsey Ballard’s name. He wrote for the Tivy Tatler, the student newspaper of Tivy High School. In addition to his bylines there, he was often mentioned in stories about student life at the high school. He was apparently a popular and serious student. He attended Texas A&M after graduation, though his time there was interrupted by the war.

Dempsey Ballard was an aviator in World War II, eventually reaching the rank of Captain. News stories from February, 1945 relay this story:

“Relatives of Dempsey Ballard have received this letter from his commanding officer:

“By now the War Department will have informed you that Dempsey is missing in action. On Christmas Day [1944], Dempsey led a mission to dive bomb and strafe enemy targets. The mission was very successful as are all of his missions, but as he headed for home base, he began to have trouble with his propeller. Because of the difficulty, he was forced to land his pane behind enemy lines. The rest of his flight had radio communications with him all the time. He landed safely and told the rest of the flight he had not been injured and was alright.

“A member of the flight, and a friend of his described him as ‘cool as a cucumber.’ It is my feeling and the feeling of the entire squadron that if anyone can make it OK while in enemy territory, Dempsey is the person who can. Because of his past performances, we all have a great faith in him.

“Dempsey is the type of person who inspires others to have confidence in him. That is why he became a flight leader, and a Captain so soon. Although he doesn’t know it – he became a Captain on December 26 for demonstrating outstanding leadership in combat. He has been awarded the Air Medal and four Oak Leaf Clusters for Meritorious Achievement while in aerial flight. His extraordinary achievements merit even higher awards.

“He was dressed warmly, and will not suffer from adverse weather conditions, if any. It is difficult to write of Dempsey’s misfortune, but we are still hopeful and have faith as to the favorable outcome. The high regard with which the squadron and I hold Dempsey cannot be properly described. We respect him and like him an know that he is one of the most outstanding pilots and officers in this theatre of operations.”

Ballard was captured by the Germans, and held prisoner for the duration of the war. He survived and came back home.

Years later, in 1992, when he was told his name had been added to the memorial by mistake, he was asked about the error.

“Well, by golly,” he is reported to have said. “I guess it will be applicable someday.”

Ballard’s talk at the dedication ceremony is one I still remember almost 32 years later. In so many words, he said: If these men could speak, this is what they might say. I am their messenger. 

Dempsey Ballard is still with us – still a messenger for Kerr County’s fallen heroes – and residing in San Antonio at an assisted living facility.

Until next week, all the best.

Joe Herring Jr. is a Kerrville native who studies Kerr County history.  This column originally appeared on the Kerr County Lead February 1, 2024.

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