Raymond G. Ward

Raymond Ward was born in London, England in about 1916. On 4/19/29 he and his older brother George boarded a ship in the Port of London bound for New York City .After a 10 day journey, he arrived. Subsequently, he lived with his aunt and uncle, Lucy and William Bates and later became a citizen of the United States. He lived in Teaneck, attended Teaneck High School and graduated in 1934.

Raymond (Ray) was described in high school as being refined and wise. He was voted the “most pleasing voice”. Ray was a member of the French Club, Student Service and Playcrafters.

Prior to the War, Raymond resided in Lincoln County Maine. He enlisted on 4/11/41 in Portland, Maine.
Raymond served in the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.  Staff Sergeant Ward died on 7/7/44 of injuries sustained while fighting in the Normandy area of France, probably in the area of the La Fiere Bridge.

This brave soldier was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery in France.

WWII Scrapbook

1. October 28, 1945

High School Yearbook

1. 1934 Yearbook, Page 44
2. 1934 Yearbook, Page 68
3. 1934 Yearbook, Page 113
4. 1934 Yearbook, Page117

Ancestry.com

1. New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957
2. 1930 United States Federal Census
3. 1940 United States Federal Census
4. World War II and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas
5. U. S. Headstone and Interment Records for U. S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, 1942-1949 for Raymond G. Ward

American Battle Monuments Commission Website

1. Raymond G. Ward

fold3.com (Historical Military Records)

1. WWII Army and Army Air Force Casuality List

National World War II Memorial, Wash., D.C. Webstie

1. War Department Files - S. SG. Raymond G. Ward
2. Overseas American Cemeteries - Raymond G. Ward

D Day: Etat des Lieux

1. U.S. Airborne in Cotentin Peninsula, 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment - Roll of Honor

Find A Grave Website

1. SSgt Raymond Ward

Notes:

1. Based on our reading of "Four Stars of Valor: The Combat History of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II" by Phil Nordyke and " No Better Place to Die: Ste. Mere-Eglise, June 1944 -- The Battle for La Fiere Bridge" by Robert M. Murphy, we believe we can state that Staff Sergeant Ward died of his wounds in the combat at or near La Fiere Bridge after parachuting into the Normandy battlefield.