Ralph E. Ward, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Ralph E. Ward, Jr. (0-728779), First Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 90th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, TENTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 27 March 1944, in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. On this date, in aerial combat, First Lieutenant Ward shot down two enemy aircraft. First Lieutenant Ward’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 10th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.