Clarence Ball – ROCHESTER HOME TOWN HERO – At age 42 led a company of Rochester Marines to Europe in World War One. At age 16 (1891) led the military company at School No. 31 on Goodman St.
Ball, Clarence, 17 Rundel Park, Rochester, N. Y. Born, Rochester, N.Y. Entered the service at Rochester, N. Y., May 2, 1917, at the age of 42 years. Mobilized in the 2d Marine Company, Naval Militia, New York, Marine Corps Branch. Ordered with Company, as a 2d Lieutenant, to Brooklyn Navy Yard, N. Y., May 6, 1917 to Oct. 30, 1917. Promoted, 1st Lieutenant, Aug. 7, 1917; Captain, July 1, 1918. Transferred to Quantico, Va., Oct. 31, 1917. Served overseas from March 26, 1918 to Nov. 2, 1918 with 66th Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment and 47th Company, 3d Battalion, 5th Regiment, 2d Division. In action, Belleau Wood; Soissons; Marbache Sector; St. Mihiel; Champagne; Meuse-Argonne. Evacuated, injured, Nov. 2, 1918, Base 31, Contrexeville; Base 6, Bordeaux. Sailed for U. S. Jan. 31, 1919. Portsmouth Navy Hospital, Feb. 15, 1919 to March 15, 1919; Brooklyn Navy Hospital, March 17, 1919 to June 30, 1919; Quantico, Va., July 1, 1919. Awarded French Croix de Guerre, with gilt star, under order No. 11, U00 “D”, dated November 8, 1918, General Headquarters, French Armies of the North and Northeast, with following citation: “He rendered the most important service by making reconnaissances and exposing himself regardlessly, to the greatest dangers.” Discharged, Oct. 6, 1919.