September 15, 1966
pg.2

Gerald Ray Ballard, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Ballard of Whitewright, has enlisted in the U.S. Army for training as a paratrooper in the Army's airborne divisions.  Upon completion of basic training, Pvt. Ballard will receive extensive preparation training before reporting to Ft. Benning, Georgia where he will undergo airborne jump school.

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
23 August 1968
Pg. 87

FOUR TEXANS ARE ON CASUALTY LIST
Washington (AP) - Forty-six service men killed in action in Vietnam was named Thursday in a Defense Department casualty list.  They include four Texans:
ARMY
...Cpl. Gerald R. Ballard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Ballard, P.O. Box 265, Whitewright....

(Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund - https://www.vvmf.org/)