Ship History
Laid down May 15, 1918 at Mare Island Navy Yard, the first ship built and in a record of 17 1/2 days. Launched June 1, 1918 and comissioned July 24, 1918.

Served in the Atlantic late in the year and helped support the trans-Atlantic flight of the NC flying boats in May 1919, then served in the Pacific a few months later and remained there until decommissioned in July 1921. She had received the hull number DD-139 in July 1920.

Wartime History
Recomissioned January 1941 when World War II began in Europe., and sent to Pearl Harbor and operated on local patrol duties in Hawaiian. On December 7, 1941 Ward fired the first shot of WWII for the USN, sinking a Japanese Type A Midget Submarine just outside Pearl Harbor.

Battle of Ormoc Bay
The destroyer was sunk on December 7, 1944 by Kamakazie attack during the Battle of Ormoc Bay.

Display
The gunsite from the Ward is displayed at the National Museum of the Pacific War (Nimitz Museum).

References
Preludes to Victory: The Battle of Ormoc Bay by William Griggs

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Last Updated
October 6, 2009