James R. Ward
James Richard Ward | |
---|---|
Born | Springfield, Ohio | September 10, 1921
Died | December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii | (aged 20)
Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.
He was listed in the Courts of the Missing, Honolulu Memorial, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii. A rosette has been placed next to his name, signifying he has been located. A cenotaph has been placed in Ferncliff Cemetery, in his hometown of Springfield, Ohio |
Allegiance | Seaman First Class |
Unit | USS Oklahoma |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
James Richard Ward (September 10, 1921 – December 7, 1941) was a US Navy sailor who was
Biography
Ward enlisted in the
When the
On August 19, 2021, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency identified the remains of Seaman First Class James Richard Ward. His remains were interred in Arlington National Cemetery on 21 December 2023.[1]
Awards and honors
Medal of Honor | Purple Heart | ||||
Fleet clasp
|
campaign star
|
World War II Victory Medal |
Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage and complete disregard of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. When it was seen that the U.S.S. Oklahoma was going to capsize and the order was given to abandon ship, Ward remained in a turret holding a flashlight so the remainder of the turret crew could see to escape, thereby sacrificing his own life.
Namesake
In 1943, the destroyer escort USS J. Richard Ward (DE-243), was named in honor of Seaman First Class Ward.
See also
References
- ^ Nieberg, Patty (7 December 2023). "Sailor awarded Medal of Honor for Pearl Harbor heroism identified by DNA". Task & Purpose. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
- "James Richard Ward, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Historical Center, Department of the Navy". Retrieved September 29, 2010.
External links
- "History.navy.mil/photos: James Richard Ward". Archived from the original on July 26, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
- "James R. Ward". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-02-24.