The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Nelson W. Ward, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 25 June 1864, while serving with Company M, 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry, in action at Staunton River Bridge, Virginia. Private Ward voluntarily took part in a charge; went alone in front of his regiment under a heavy fire to secure the body of his captain, who had been killed in the action.