THE WALL OF FACES

My memory of George is of a real Marine leader. I was somewhat younger but admired George as did my contemporaries. Hearing of his loss a few months after I left Vietnam and the sadness it evoked has never left me. Best of the best. Semper Fidelis George, you are not forgotten.

I first met George in 1956 when I joined VMA-224 at El Toro. I was assigned to his group which was called “Wards Wonders”. He was a dear friend and a true Marine

Sir, I was stationed at DaNang with H&MS11 when your TA4f came back to us. You were to take over as our squadron CO before your unfortunate demise. I am so sorry, I'm sure you were a great Marine officer. It's been over 49 years and I still remember that day. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN SIR. SEMPER FI

LTC George W. Ward was a Marine pilot assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron-1 (H&HS-1), Marine Wing Headquarters Group 1, (MWHG-1), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW), III MAF. On March 19, 1970, LTC Ward and his backseater, 1LT Paul Lowery, were on a low-level mission over Laos in a Douglas TA-4F Skyhawk (#154622). They attacked a truck convoy towing SAMs (surface-to-air missiles) with their Zuni rockets. Several enemy soldiers dismounted from their transports and started firing at the Marine jet. 1LT Lowery could hear their bullets hitting the jet and eventually saw blood on the canopy. At this point he noticed Ward was slumped over. As the TA-4 began to roll and was headed for the ground, Lowery quickly realized Ward was not in control, so he grabbed the stick and pulled up. He called the controller above in an air Force C-130 and told him he was heading back to Da Nang, where he made an arrested landing. LTC Ward was rushed to a hospital where he later died of his wounds. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and the book “U.S. Navy and Marine Corps A-4 Skyhawk Units of the Vietnam War 1963–1973” by Peter Mersky]

Hello sir… You don't know me but I know your son Rob Ward he's as tough as nails and a smart as a whip you never got to see him mature and become an adult but I can testify that he turned out to be a great man just like you!!!… Thank you sir… Randy Vaughn