SERGEANT FIRST CLASS WILLIAM H. WARD, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his extraordinary heroism in the Republic of Vietnam on 19 August 1969 while serving as a medical advisor at Cai Doi Outpost in Kien Tuong Province during an attack by an estimated three company enemy force. At the onset of the attack, the enemy 107-millimeter rocket hit the team house where Sergeant Ward and other members of the advisory team were sleeping. The rocket killed one member and seriously wounded the other four occupants. Sergeant Ward was seriously wounded, but upon regaining consciousness, he dragged one of his unconscious comrades away from the burning team house where grenades, flares and other ammunition were exploding. Refusing first aid for himself, Sergeant Ward immediately began to administer first aid to the other wounded team members. Realizing that he could no longer work in his present condition, he allowed his burnt hands and numerous other wounds to be bandaged. After receiving first aid, Sergeant Ward exposed himself to intense enemy fire while climbing the outpost’s watch tower. From this vantage point he called in and coordinated friendly mortar, artillery and gunship fire and requested evacuation boats for the wounded. Upon their arrival, he again exposed himself to intense enemy fire in order to direct and assist the movement of the men to the boats. Refusing to have his own wounds examined, Sergeant Ward insisted that all efforts be directed to his comrades. He aided and directed frantic efforts to save the life of the senior advisor through the use of heart massage and resuscitation. Sergeant First Class Ward’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit and the U.S. Army.

Mr. Ward lives in Tennessee and joined the Legion of Valor in 2003.