James R. Ward

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James Richard Ward
September 10, 1921(1921-09-10) – December 7, 1941 (aged 20)
  
Seaman First Class James R. Ward, Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth Springfield, Ohio
Place of death Killed in the Attack on Pearl Harbor
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service 1940-1941
Rank Seaman First Class
Unit USS Oklahoma
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Medal of Honor

James Richard Ward (10 September 1921 – 7 December 1941) was born in Springfield, Ohio. He enlisted in the United States Navy at Cincinnati, Ohio, on 25 November 1940. After basic training, he reported on board the battleship Oklahoma (BB-37).

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[edit] Biography

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, Oklahoma took three torpedoes soon after the attack began. She listed dangerously, and it was soon apparent that she would capsize. The order was given to abandon ship, but Seaman First Class Ward remained in a turret holding a flashlight, thus sacrificing his own life to permit other members of the crew to escape. For his heroism at that time, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Namesake

In 1943, the destroyer escort USS J. Richard Ward (DE-243), was named in honor of Seaman First Class Ward.

United States Navy Portal

[edit] See also

[edit] References

This article includes 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.

[edit] External links