World War II Honoree

Francis Irvin Ward

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Cedaredge, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Relationship

Friend

Rank: Chief Machinist’s Mate. He was inducted into the United States Navy August 15, 1938, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania with Basic Military Training at the U.S. Naval Training Station Newport, Rhode Island. Upon his graduation from Boot Camp and with additional training; he was transferred to the USS Albert W. Grant Destroyer (DD-649) for duty. October 17, 1944 the USS Grant with her Shipmate’s, along with an Armada of U.S. Warships, rendezvous in the Bohol Sea, located between the Visayas and Mindanao Islands in the Philippine Sea. These Combatant Ships participated in the “Battle-of-Surigao Strait”, against the Imperial Japanese Naval Forces. October 24, 1944 the USS Albert W. Grant, along with other Destroyers conducted a torpedo attack, against a Japanese Battleship. During this night-time engagement, the USS Grant was hit and severely damaged from cannon fire. 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”. This was the largest Naval Battle of World War II and the climactic American Naval Victory over Japan. 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 Arlington National Cemetery, located in Fort Myer Arlington, Virginia. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously for his Heroism, and ultimate sacrifice. He served his Country with Pride and Honor.