981ST Sentry Dog Company

Born on August 19, 1947.
In the Army he served as a 95B10 (Military Policeman).
Special MOS designation P5 (Sentry Dog Handler).
In 1 year of service, he attained the rank of PFC/E3.

On July 4th, 1968, at the age of 20, DAVID JAMES WARD
perished in the service of our country in Nihn Thuan, South Vietnam.

Personal Synopsis:

These are personal observations by fellow dog handlers, about events that happened In Country.

" I was in Cam Ranh Bay at the same time as David Ward back in '68. I can't say I knew him, but I knew of him. I attended his memorial service in Cam Ranh before I was sent to Qui Nhon (Phu Tai). If memory serves me, shortly after I arrived he was sent to Phan Rang. I was told the dog posts in Phan Rang ran along or near a beach. As I remember the story, the night he was killed, charlie hit a compound or an area that was between his post and his kennel area. Early on in the fire fight the duty NCO found Ward and told him to stay put, but later during a lull in the fighting he apparently tried to get to his kennel area and was caught in a crossfire. That's the story as I remember it.".

L.R.
981ST Sentry Dogs 67'/68'

Official Synopsis:

--- General / Personal ---

Last name: WARD
First name: DAVID JAMES
Home of Record (official): LAS VEGAS
State (official): NV
Date of Birth: Tuesday, August 19, 1947
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single

--- Military ---

Branch: Army
Rank: CPL
Serial Number: 18842641
Component: Regular
Posthumous promotion as indicated
Pay grade: E3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 95B10

--- Action ---

Start of Tour: Sunday, February 25, 1968
Date of Casualty: Thursday, July 4, 1968
Age at time of loss: 20
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Multiple fragmentation wounds (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Ninh Thuan
The Wall: Panel 53W - Row 014