27 Facts About Orlando Ward

Major General Orlando Ward was a career United States Army officer who fought in both World War I and World War II.

Orlando Ward trained and returned to Europe in 1945 as commander of the 20th Armored Division.

Orlando Ward later was part of Brigadier General John J Pershing's forces chasing Pancho Villa into Mexico in 1916.

Orlando Ward was awarded the Mexican Service Medal for serving in the Pancho Villa Expedition.

Orlando Ward served on the Western Front with the American Expeditionary Forces during the war.

Orlando Ward was later awarded the Silver Star Citation for his actions.

Orlando Ward continued to serve on the Western Front until the war ended with the Armistice with Germany on November 11,1918.

Orlando Ward attended the United States Army War College from August 1935 until June 1936.

Orlando Ward assisted Marshall in finding the resources to build the military while political forces were fighting to keep the United States out of the war and to help Britain.

Orlando Ward was later awarded the Legion of Merit for his services during this period, with the medal's citation stating the following:.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Major General Orlando Ward, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as Secretary of the War Department General Staff from 3 July, 1939, to 30 August, 1941.

Orlando Ward displayed high executive ability and judgment in organizing the secretariat of the General Staff to meet the emergency of the early mobilization of the Army and later the shock of war.

General Orlando Ward performed the exacting duties of secretary of the General Staff with vigor, force, and unflagging loyalty.

Orlando Ward left that post to become the second commander of the 1st Armored Division, a Regular Army formation, in March 1942, three months after the American entry into World War II.

Orlando Ward obeyed the order, and the attack was initially successful.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9,1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major General Orlando Ward, United States Army, for gallantry in action in March 1943, when he distinguished himself in action against an armed enemy.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9,1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major General Orlando Ward, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding General of the 1st Armored Division, in action against enemy forces in March 1943 in Tunisia.

Orlando Ward found hesitant reserves whom he organized into units and led forward.

General Orlando Ward came upon forward troops pinned down by enemy fire and unready to proceed with the planned attack.

Orlando Ward reorganized scattered units, personally encouraged the wavering infantrymen, and then, radio communication to the tanks being out, walked through enemy fire to direct the gun fire of his tanks upon the objectives to neutralize the enemy machine gun fire and enable the assault teams to carry out their mission.

Orlando Ward was wounded by a machine gun bullet but did not retire for medical attention until the attack was launched.

However, the stalemate east of Maknassy continued, and it appeared to Patton that Orlando Ward was still overcautious and too reluctant to incur casualties when conducting offensive operations.

Major General Orlando Ward was the only general relieved of his command by Patton during World War II.

Orlando Ward then had two major assignments, first as commander of the 6th Infantry Division, in Korea.

Orlando Ward then served as Chief of Military History, where he oversaw the production of the famous "Green Books," the official US Army history of World War II.

Major General Orlando Ward retired from the army in January 1953, after over 38 years of service as a commissioned officer.

Orlando Ward returned to Denver, Colorado, where he remained until his death, aged 80, on February 4,1972.