Private Calvin John Ward was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 8, 1918 near Estrees, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company D, 117th Infantry, 30th Division. Ward was 18 years old.
12 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Private First Class.
Ward was born on October 30, 1899 in Green County, Tennessee. His Medal of Honor is credited to Morristown, Hamblen County, Tennessee. Ward died on December 15, 1967 in Morristown, Tennessee, at the age of 68. He is buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Bristol, Tennessee.
Ward is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 33 credited to Tennessee.
Official Medal of Honor citation
During an advance, Pvt. Ward's company was held up by a machine gun, which was enfilading the line. Accompanied by a noncommissioned officer, he advanced against this post and succeeded in reducing the nest by killing three and capturing seven of the enemy and their guns.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Calvin John Ward received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Tennessee →
Timeline
- October 30, 1899Born in Green County, Tennessee
- October 8, 1918Act of valor — near Estrees, FranceAge 18. Company D, 117th Infantry, 30th Division
- December 15, 1967Died in Morristown, TennesseeAge 68.
- Resting placeGlenwood CemeteryBristol, Tennessee
Biography
Calvin John Ward (October 30, 1899 – December 15, 1967), was a soldier in the United States Army National Guard who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War I.
From the Wikipedia article “Calvin John Ward”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
