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James R. Ward

James Richard Ward (September 10, 1921 – December 7, 1941) was a US Navy sailor who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

James Richard Ward

(1921-09-10)September 10, 1921
Springfield, Ohio

December 7, 1941(1941-12-07) (aged 20)
Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii

Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. He was listed in the Courts of the Missing, Honolulu Memorial, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii. A rosette has been placed next to his name, signifying he has been located. A cenotaph has been placed in Ferncliff Cemetery, in his hometown of Springfield, Ohio

 United States of America

 United States Navy

1940 – 1941

Seaman First Class

USS Oklahoma

World War II

Medal of Honor

Biography[edit]

Ward enlisted in the United States Navy at Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 25, 1940. After basic training, he reported on board the battleship USS Oklahoma (BB-37).


When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 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 posthumously received the Medal of Honor.


On August 19, 2021, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency identified the remains of Seaman First Class James Richard Ward. His remains were interred in Arlington National Cemetery on 21 December 2023.[1]

List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II

. Retrieved September 29, 2010.

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

. Archived from the original on July 26, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.

"History.navy.mil/photos: James Richard Ward"

. Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-02-24.

"James R. Ward"