The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Robert Elwin McCraner Ward (NSN: 0-74959), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Naval Reserve Training Command. Directly responsible for procurement and training of personnel for the surface component of the Naval Reserve, Rear Admiral War personally undertook a comprehensive detailed analysis of the Naval Reserve which resulted in the formulation of new training plans and concepts designed to improve the overall readiness and efficiency of the Navy’s mobilization capability. He expertly applied his extensive knowledge of current Naval operations in reorienting Naval Reserve Training programs so as to bring them more sharply into focus with the rapid technological advances being wrought in Naval Warfare and Naval Weaponry. Through his personal leadership and dynamic forcefulness in seminars held in all sections of the United States, he succeeded in improving the readiness posture of the Selected Reserve by implementing policies to increase the petty officer ratio in the Selected Reserve and to improve the quality of training afforded all Naval Reservists. Stimulating enthusiastic response among officers and men throughout the entire Naval Reserve, Admiral Ward, by his outstanding professional competence and inspiring devotion to duty, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]Division:
U.S.S. Sailfish (SS-192)Action Date:
July 7 – September 6, 1944
Pacific Fleet Board Awards: Serial 78 (November 17, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Robert Elwin McCraner Ward (NSN: 0-74959), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SAILFISH (SS-192), during the ELEVENTH War Patrol of that submarine in enemy Japanese-controlled waters, from 7 July to 6 September 1944. Skillfully penetrating strong enemy escort screens, Commander Ward launched torpedo attacks against enemy shipping and combatant units which resulted in the sinking of a destroyer, a minelayer and two freighters, totaling 13,200 tons and, employing evasive tactics, successfully avoided enemy countermeasures. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Sailfish (SS-192)Action Date:
September 26, 1944 – December 11, 1944
Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 01692 (February 25, 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Commander Robert Elwin McCraner Ward (NSN: 0-74959), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SAILFISH (SS-192), on the TWELFTH and final War Patrol of that submarine during the period 26 September to 11 December 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the Pacific War Area. With courage and determination, Commander Ward successfully launched attacks which resulted in the sinking of a medium sized enemy warship and several smaller craft. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Gurnard (SS-254)Action Date:
World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Robert Elwin McCraner Ward (NSN: 0-74959), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in the line of his profession as Fire Control Officer of the U.S.S. GURNARD (SS-254), during a war patrol of that submarine in enemy controlled waters. Lieutenant Commander Ward, by his tireless efforts in training the fire control party, by his coordination of the fire control party during action, and by his coolness and counsel to the Commanding Officer when his boat was firing torpedoes and undergoing severe enemy anti-submarine measures, was responsible in a great measure for the success of the patrol during which the submarine sank three ships, including one destroyer, totaling over 15,000 tons and damaging five ships, totaling over 43,000 tons of enemy shipping. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Sailfish (SS-192)Action Date:
November 17, 1943 – January 5, 1944
Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 344 (November 1945)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Robert Elwin McCraner Ward (NSN: 0-74959), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SAILFISH (SS-192), on the TENTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 17 November 1943 to 5 January 1944, in enemy Japanese home waters off the main island of Honshu. On the night of 3 – 4 December 1943, while operating under extremely hazardous weather conditions and against active anti-submarine measures, Lieutenant Commander Ward attacked an enemy aircraft carrier of over 22,000 tons which was in company with a cruiser and destroyers. Although depth-charged, he pursued the damaged carrier to drive home the final attack which sank it. Throughout the remainder of this patrol he sank over 13,200 additional tons of enemy shipping and damaged over 7,000 tons. In spite of severe enemy counter-attacks and hazardous weather conditions he brought his boat back to port with only minor damage. His conduct and heroic efforts throughout this patrol were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.