J.D. Ward

J.D. served in Navy during the Korean War 53′. he was in the navy from 1952-53 to 1959-60, he was a Gunner’s Mate on USS Lake Champlain CVA-39. He also served on USS Coral Sea CV-43. He saw action in Korea, he never talked much about his service except saying he has lost a couple of friends in Korea. He was awarded a few medals. He got into trouble at one point while in the Navy. He went AWOL, he didn’t return to base when he was supposed too. The MP’s went out looking for him but couldn’t find him. He was hiding in a corn field, he saw the MP’s but they didn’t see him. He turned himself in and he was locked up for a month and they extended his service to 8 years. We don’t know when he went AWOL, and why he did it. Unfortunately  i dont know his rank when he left the Navy in 59′ or 60′. But he was proud of serving his country and what he did. He had a successful life. He Married my Granny in December 18th 1952. I don’t know if was in the navy at that time, they got married in a court house. They had 4 children together. He worked as a mechanic until he was layer off. He bought a house and built a basement and a living room. He passed in heart surgery in 1984, he was 49 almost 50 when passed. And was about to be a grandfather. He was born in Leicester North Carolina, September 30th 1934 and he died in Asheville on September 7th 1984. He was 49 when he passed. 23 days before his birthday. His son followed his footsteps and joined the Navy in 1987 and served for 8 years. He was in the Gulf War as a seabee.

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