Richard Ward Biography

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James Richard Ward (10 September 1921 â?? 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).

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.

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

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.

References

• James Richard Ward, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Historical Center, Department of the Navy.
  

External links

• history.navy.mil/photos: James Richard Ward
  
• James Ward's Gravesite
  

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