PFC Charles Sylvanus Ward

PFC Charles Sylvanus Ward was born 13 Dec 1918 in Moulton, Iowa. He was the eldest of the 9 children born to Grover Cleveland and Martha Alice (Campbell) Ward. His father worked as a teamster and farmer before becoming ill and unable to work. Charles was working to support the family by 1940 employed in part by a local contractor, Virgil Neal Daniels. 

Charles was drafted in February 1942. After his basic military training at Camp Walters, Texas he was sent to England in August or September 1942 possibly already assigned to H Company 116th Infantry.He was not given a furlough before being sent overseas. He was certainly assigned to the unit while in England where he prepared with them for the amphibious assault that took place on 6 Jun 1944. After the landing, PFC Ward fought with the unit until killed in action on 11 Jul 1944. 

PFC Ward rests forever in the Normandy American Cemetery. There is a cenotaph to memorialize him in Hardin Cemetery in Moulton, Iowa.

Charles' brothers, Wesley Eugene Ward and Billy Calvin Ward, both served in the United States Coast Guard during the war.