PFC Thomas Newman Ward Jr

courtesy of Lisa Squared

PFC Thomas Newman Ward Jr. was born 31 Dec 1917 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the 2nd of 3 children and only son born to Thomas Newman and Anna C. (Cranston) Ward. His father was a machinist and the family lived in the home they owned at 207 Wolfe Street in Philadelphia. The family suffered a tragedy in 1922 when Anna died of influenza just a month after giving birth to Thomas' younger sister. Paternal aunt, Catherine Kelly, moved into the household to raise the children. Due to the depression his father worked at other jobs to support his family and the value of the house declined from $3500 in 1930 to $2200 in 1940 when his father was earning $1500 a year working in a chemical plant owned by Harshaw Chemical Company. Young Thomas managed to complete high school and was also working at the chemical plant and made just as much as his father. 

Thomas volunteered for the Army in November 1942. After completing his basic military training he was sent to England in June 1943 and was assigned to F Company 116th Infantry. He then trained with the unit for the amphibious landing that was planned as an element in the liberation of Nazi occupied France. PFC Ward took part in that landing on 6 Jun 1944 when he was killed in action. 

PFC Ward rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery.