Calvin John Ward
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| Calvin John Ward | |
|---|---|
| 30 October 1899–15 December 1967 | |
| Place of birth | Greene County, Tennessee |
| Allegiance | United States Army |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | U.S. 117th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Meuse-Argonne Offensive |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Silver Star |
Calvin John Ward (30 October 1899–15 December 1967), was born in Greene County, Tennessee and lived in Morristown, Tennessee. Karnes entered active duty with the U.S. Army's 117th Regiment from the Tennessee National Guard during World War I. On 8 October 1918 during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Ward's company was stopped near Estrées, France by a German machine gun position. Ward and Sergeant James Ernest Karnes, deciding they had "had all they could take"of this situation, fixed bayonets, charged and captured the position. This freed their company to advance against German lines in the last major offensive of the war. Both men won the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism in this action.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
"The Medal of Honor is presented to Calvin John Ward, Private, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism on October 08, 1918, while serving with Company D, 117th Infantry, 30th Division, in action at Estrees, France. During an advance, Private Ward's company was held up by a machinegun, 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."
