When Red and Blue Made Purple
A Tribute to Ophir James Ballard, Sr., by MaryBeth Hall
“For
Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle...” – Psalm 18:39
“My God and Savior Jesus Christ brought me
through.” – OJB
In
a time when America needs heroes –
Who sacrifice to fight truth’s foes,
Who stand and live for what is right,
And hold high God’s Law and light –
I remember my Grandad Ballard,
A champion of justice1 and of valor.
He fought many a World War II battle,
And red and blue made purple.
For
the red and blue, Old Glory,
His is a hero’s story.
The Bronze Star and Purple Heart
That he earned tell just a part
Of his service, whose records still classified,
For us his descendants this challenge provide:
May our lives echo freedom’s rumble,
Because red and blue made purple.
He
tried to join up early;
Had to wait until eighteen,
Then enlisted in the 36th
Who sacrifice to fight truth’s foes,
Who stand and live for what is right,
And hold high God’s Law and light –
I remember my Grandad Ballard,
A champion of justice1 and of valor.
He fought many a World War II battle,
And red and blue made purple.
His is a hero’s story.
The Bronze Star and Purple Heart
That he earned tell just a part
Of his service, whose records still classified,
For us his descendants this challenge provide:
May our lives echo freedom’s rumble,
Because red and blue made purple.
Had to wait until eighteen,
Then enlisted in the 36th
Texas
Infantry Division.
In the 143rd Regiment,
In the 143rd Regiment,
With
two serial numbers he was sent.
As
a medic and a sniper,
He did his best to freedom ensure.
He went to North Africa, working with Brits
To stop Germany’s Desert Fox.
Once he had Rommel in his sights.
While he and his spotter waited
For the command to take the shot,
On the radio generals argued
(About the plan they had second thoughts);
So the ‘stand down’ order was issued.
He
rejoined his regiment, bound for Italy.
Salerno in September of ’43
Was Europe’s first Allied invasion
To break German domination.
The records recount “a fierce baptism of fire”2:
Mine fields, 88’s, tanks and barbed wire.
At last, the Germans gave up and retreated,
Went to the mountains and for our boys waited.
Winter
was hard as Yanks fought up Italy’s boot.
“Rome, and then home!” they said while en route.
Freezing cold, knee-deep mud, mule trains, few supplies,
He did his best to freedom ensure.
He went to North Africa, working with Brits
To stop Germany’s Desert Fox.
Once he had Rommel in his sights.
While he and his spotter waited
For the command to take the shot,
On the radio generals argued
(About the plan they had second thoughts);
So the ‘stand down’ order was issued.
Salerno in September of ’43
Was Europe’s first Allied invasion
To break German domination.
The records recount “a fierce baptism of fire”2:
Mine fields, 88’s, tanks and barbed wire.
At last, the Germans gave up and retreated,
Went to the mountains and for our boys waited.
“Rome, and then home!” they said while en route.
Freezing cold, knee-deep mud, mule trains, few supplies,
“Million
Dollar Mountain” and San Peitro costly prizes.
Then came Rapido River, where courage was tested;
Entrenched on the high ground, Germans had them bested.
Every officer around him killed, Grandad took command,
And led men to persevere ‘till they’d secured that land.
June
5th they marched weary, but welcomed, into Rome,
Passed the Coliseum, where Christians went Home.
They slept in catacombs, were promised R&R,
But he said he wouldn’t quit after coming this far.
Boots behind him echoed; his example others followed.
Then at Magliano, while helping a man in need,
Then came Rapido River, where courage was tested;
Entrenched on the high ground, Germans had them bested.
Every officer around him killed, Grandad took command,
And led men to persevere ‘till they’d secured that land.
Passed the Coliseum, where Christians went Home.
They slept in catacombs, were promised R&R,
But he said he wouldn’t quit after coming this far.
Boots behind him echoed; his example others followed.
Then at Magliano, while helping a man in need,
He was wounded badly, but refused attention
Until all others had medical provision.
Here
the details are hazy in his life’s paradigm:
Until all others had medical provision.
He
was possibly wounded more than one time.
Once he had to play dead so that a German
Canvassing the battlefield wouldn’t kill him.
He was on a hospital ship for a year
In a full body cast. He said this for sure:
(Urged to take full disability) “My country don’t owe
Me anything, and I would do it again tomorrow.”
The
sacrifice he made outlived his service days,
For it affected his life in difficult ways.
Red and blue made purple, in the life of Ophir James Ballard.
For what Old Glory stands for, he fought, and he fought hard.
But something even deeper claimed his loyalty and love:
Jesus, His Word, and the City above.
He and others like him preserved our liberty;
We must use it for the kingdom that lasts eternally.
After
the war, he wanted to be
A Freedom Fighter to help the Israeli.
But God led his path another way:
May 7th of ‘49 was his wedding day,
And the family that grew lived by faith’s legacy.
If he were still here, I know he’d agree:
Let Jesus and the Bible guide your every decision;
Once he had to play dead so that a German
Canvassing the battlefield wouldn’t kill him.
He was on a hospital ship for a year
In a full body cast. He said this for sure:
(Urged to take full disability) “My country don’t owe
Me anything, and I would do it again tomorrow.”
For it affected his life in difficult ways.
Red and blue made purple, in the life of Ophir James Ballard.
For what Old Glory stands for, he fought, and he fought hard.
But something even deeper claimed his loyalty and love:
Jesus, His Word, and the City above.
He and others like him preserved our liberty;
We must use it for the kingdom that lasts eternally.
A Freedom Fighter to help the Israeli.
But God led his path another way:
May 7th of ‘49 was his wedding day,
And the family that grew lived by faith’s legacy.
If he were still here, I know he’d agree:
Let Jesus and the Bible guide your every decision;
Keep
that City with foundations3 ever in your vision.
1 Grandad wrote that when he was a boy, he
wanted to be “a champion of justice” when he grew up.
2 The Story of the 36th Infantry Division booklet, page 4
3 Hebrews 11:10
2 The Story of the 36th Infantry Division booklet, page 4
3 Hebrews 11:10