James R Ward: The USS Oklahoma Crewman Who Remained Behind at Pearl Harbor and Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
The attack on Pearl Harbor was the celebration that spurred the United States to enter World War II. On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Japanese introduced a devastating strike that triggered the fatalities of over 2,400 Us citizens, the the vast majority of whom served with the US Navy. Amid them was James R Ward, who posthumously acquired the Medal of Honor for his actions aboard the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) that working day.
James R Ward’s early lifestyle and enlistment in the US Navy
James R Ward was born on September 10, 1921, in Springfield, Ohio. Just above a 12 months ahead of the United States entered the 2nd Globe War, on November 25, 1940, the then-20-calendar year-old enlisted in the US Navy. He was one particular of numerous American citizens to sign up for the US armed forces in some ability involving 1939-40, knowledgeable of the pretty real chance that the country could shortly go to war from Germany.
Following recruit and basic coaching, Ward was assigned to the Nevada-class battleship USS Oklahoma (BB-37) as a seaman initially course, aboard which he served as a gun crew member.
Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor
At just before 8:00 AM on December 7, 1941, the Japanese released their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Concentrating on the ships moored at the naval foundation, as nicely as aircraft grounded at Wheeler Airfield, 353 Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) bombers dropped their explosives, destroying and harming numerous hundred items of navy gear and killing 2,403 persons. An additional 1,178 were injured.
Whilst the Japanese had in the beginning prepared for their attack to decimate the US Pacific Fleet, the simple fact of the matter was that the ships that designed up the bulk of the US Navy’s manpower weren’t at Pearl Harbor that working day. The service’s aircraft carriers – in certain, the USS Yorktown (CV-5), Hornet (CV-8) and Organization (CV-6) – were being in other places, that means they were being equipped to produce a tricky blow versus the enemy through the Battle of Midway.
James R Ward’s bravery aboard the USS Oklahoma (BB-37)
When the Japanese launched their devastating strike on Pearl Harbor, James R Ward was nevertheless aboard the USS Oklahoma. The vessel was amongst the principal targets of the assault and experienced 3 torpedo strikes soon after it began. Filling with water, the vessel began to checklist, indicating she would quickly capsize. As this kind of, the get was supplied for all people to abandon the battleship.
Even though it would probably consequence in his very own demise, Ward remained powering, positioning himself in his assigned 14-inch gun turret with a flashlight to enable his fellow sailors escape. This singular beam of light-weight assisted the others in the turret navigate the darkness, conserving their life. Quite a few later on spoke of Ward’s selflessness the moment points had settled.
When Oklahoma sunk beneath the h2o, Ward was amid the hundreds of guys even now aboard the battleship.
Identification and the Medal of Honor
For his bravery on December 7, 1941, James R Ward was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, 1 of a lot of to obtain the difference for their steps that notorious day. He was also honored in 1943 when the destroyer escort USS J. Richard Ward (DE-243) was named for him. The vessel remained energetic right until 1946, executing duties in the North Atlantic and off the coastline of South The united states.
In 2015, the Department of Protection introduced the launch of the USS Oklahoma challenge, aimed at pinpointing the remains from the vessel that have been continue to devoid of a title. Termed “unknowns,” they were being buried at the Countrywide Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. On August 19, 2021, the Protection POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) declared that it had officially determined Ward’s remains, many thanks to DNA analysis. Samples have been furnished by his nephew and distant family members.
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That December, the seaman to start with course was reinterred at Arlington Countrywide Cemetery. In his honor, a cenotaph was also erected in Ferncliff Cemetery in his hometown.
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