World War II Honoree

Lawrence Edward Ward

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Weldon, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Relationship

Friend

Rank: Fire Controlman Third Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy November 22, 1940, at Denver, Colorado with Basic Military Training at the U.S. Naval Training Station San Diego, California. Upon his graduation from Boot Camp and with additional training; he was transferred to the USS Monssen I Destroyer (DD-798) for duty. November 12, 1942 the USS Monssen with her Shipmate’s, along with an Armada of U.S. Warships, rendezvous off the coastal shores of Guadalcanal, Island. This Task-Force intercepted an Imperial Japanese Naval Fleet, which was moving down the "Slot" to bombard Henderson Field, located in the Southwester Pacific Theater of Operations. November 13, 1942 the Destroyer was sunk by the Japanese Caliber Battleship, during the “Naval Battle-of-Guadalcanal”. He was reported “Missing-in-Action” or Buried at Sea along with his gallant crew members, gone without a trace and will “Remain on Eternal Patrol”. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines. In his Memory, a cenotaph memorial has been placed at the Table Rock Cemetery, located in Table Rock, Nebraska. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously for his Heroism, and ultimate sacrifice. He served his Country with Pride and Honor.