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World War II Honoree

Killed in World War II

James Richard Ward

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Springfield, Ohio

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

Branch Seal
Activity During WWII

HE WAS POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR. SEAMAN FIRST CLASS, U.S. NAVY. ENTERED AT SPRINGFIELD, OHIO. 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, DECEMBER 7, 1941. WHEN IT WAS SEEN THAT THE USS OKLAHOMA BB-37 WAS GOING TO CAPSIZE AND THE ORDER WAS GIVEN TO ABANDON SHIP, HE REMAINED IN A TURRET HOLDING A FLASHLIGHT SO THE REMAINDER OF THE TURRET CREW COULD SEE TO ESCAPE, THEREBY SACRIFICING HIS OWN LIFE.