WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) announced today her bill to designate a Mountain View, California Post Office as the Lieutenant Kenneth M. Ballard Memorial Post Office. A Mountain View native, Lieutenant Ballard joined the Army at the age of 18. He was killed in Najaf, Iraq on May 30, 2004 after nine years of military service. He had been awarded the Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars, two with Valor Device.

"Lieutenant Ballard demonstrated great courage and heroism throughout his military career," Rep. Eshoo said. "He made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, and he should be remembered and honored by our community."

Rep. Eshoo's bill has already garnered the support of the entire 52 member California Congressional delegation, a necessary step before it can be considered by the House Oversight Committee. The legislation is also supported by the Mountain View City Council.

Background on Lieutenant Ballard

Kenneth Michael Ballard was born in Rome, New York, in 1977, and moved to Mountain View in 1981. After graduating from Mountain View High School in 1995, he enlisted in the Army and attended basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He went on to serve in Germany, Bosnia, Macedonia, and Iraq. He won the Gold to Green Army ROTC Scholarship and attended Middle Tennessee State University. After graduation he returned to Germany and was then deployed to Iraq. On May 30, 2004, Lieutenant Ballard was killed in Najaf, Iraq by accidental discharge of the M-240 weapon mounted on his vehicle.

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