DAVID JAMES WARD
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"