S1c James R. Ward, Medal of Honor

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Seaman First Class James Richard Ward, United States Navy, 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, Territory of Hawaii, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. When it was seen that the U.S.S. OKLAHOMA (BB-37) was going to capsize and the order was given to abandon ship, Seaman First Class Ward remained in a turret holding a flashlight so the remainder of the turret crew could see to escape, thereby sacrificing his own life.

Action Date: 7-Dec-41

Service: Navy

Rank: Seaman First Class

Division: U.S.S. Oklahoma (BB-37)

James Richard Ward was the son of Howard Joseph Ward and Nancy M. Redmond, the brother of Marjorie Ward. James was born 10 Sep 1921 in Springfield OH. He died while aboard the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor 7 Dec 1941.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=ward&GSfn=jam...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_R._Ward

http://navylog.navymemorial.org/ward-james-23