Leonard Cecil Ward – Brigadier General, United States Army

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It is with profound sadness and deep feelings of the loss we announce the death of Brigadier General Leonard C. Ward (Retired), who resided in McLean, Virginia. He passed away of lymphoma at Walter Reed Hospital on Tuesday, March 20, 2001, at the age of 83.

General Ward was born November 17, 1917. He attended Michigan Technological University graduating in 1939 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and earned his Masters degree in Information Systems Technology from George
Washington University.

General Ward joined the Michigan National Guard in 1939 shortly after he was commissioned from the ROTC. He entered active duty with the 32d Infantry Division in 1940. Overseas during World War II, he served as platoon leader company commander and group staff officer in engineer units supporting divisions of V Corps, First Army in Europe.

General Ward served 10 years as the Commander of the 107th Engineer Battalion, post WWII from 1945 to 1955. He served various other positions in the National Guard from 1955 to 1967.

General Ward was appointed as the Assistant Division Commander of the 46th Infantry Division Michigan National Guard on 13 February 1967, and received Federal recognition as a Brigadier General on 25 May 1967. He commanded the 46th Infantry Division during the last month of its existence in the force structure.

General Ward was appointed the Acting Assistant Chief, National Guard Bureau, for Army on 15 January 1968. Upon Senate confirmation of his grade, he began a four-year term as Assistant Chief, National Guard Bureau, for Army on 1 May 1968. On 1 February 1970 his office was redesignated Director, Army National Guard and subsequently authorized a Major General grade. On 20 April 1970 General Ward was appointed Deputy Director, Army National Guard.

Among General Ward’s decorations and awards are the Legion on Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Oakleaf Cluster, American Defense Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon with Arrowhead and five Battle Stars, Victory Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Citation, Headquarters Department of Army; Citation, Headquarters USCONARC; Michigan Distinguished Service Medal, and Michigan Service Medal with three Oakleaf Clusters.

General Ward’s affiliations include Association of the United States Army, National Guard Association of the United States, National Guard Association of Michigan, Society of American Military Engineers, and Army Engineer Association. He established the 107th Engineer Battalion Memorialization and was very active with the Battalion’s Association after retirement.

In 1972, General Ward worked ten years for Computer Sciences Corporation as Management Consultant to the Joint Staff, the Army and Navy Departments, Xerox Corporation and other Clients.

General Ward is survived by his wife, Joyce; son Leonard C. Ward III and wife Shari Jeshow; son, Robert Grant Ward; son, Douglas Stuart Ward, with 2 children, Cierra, James, and Austin; and daughter Mary Bea Ward Constantino and husband Daniel Constantino; sister, Madelyn Thompson and husband Kenneth Thompson; and sister-in-law Gertrude Ward.

The viewing was held at Murphy’s Funeral Home in Falls Church, Virginia on Sunday March 25, 2001 from 6-9pm. The funeral for General Ward will be held on Monday April 9, 2001, at 1pm at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal church in McLean, Virginia, and the interment will follow with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (1-800-955-4572) or the 107th Engineer Memorialization Endowment Fund c/o Wells Fargo Bank Michigan, N.A. 101 North Main Street, Ishpeming, MI 49849.

The death of Brigadier General Leonard C. Ward is a great loss to his family, friends, a grateful nation and the members of the 107th Engineer Battalion’s Association to which he faithfully served.

From a contemporary press report

Leonard Cecil Ward, 83, a Brigadier General who retired in 1972 as deputy director of the Army National Guard, died of lymphoma March 20, 2001, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He lived in McLean, Virginia.

After he retired, he was a management consultant to the military, Xerox Corp. and others clients of Computer Sciences Corp.

General Ward was a native of Virginia, Minnesota, and a graduate of Michigan Technological University. He received a master’s degree in information systems technology from George Washington University.

He began his military career with the Michigan National Guard in 1939.

He served as an engineer unit staff officer in Europe during World War II and then returned to the Michigan Guard. He was later an assistant division commander and assistant chief of the National Guard Bureau of the Army Department.

His honors include a Legion of Merit and Bronze Star.

He was a member of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in McLean, the Association of the U.S. Army, the National Guard Association, the Society of American Military Engineers and the Army Engineer Association.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce Ward of McLean; four children, Leonard C. Ward III of Fairfax, Robert Grant Ward of McLean, Douglas Stuart Ward of Albany, N.Y., and Mary Bea Ward Constantino of Reston; a sister; and three grandchildren.

WARD, LEONARD C., BG U.S. ARMY (Ret.)

On Tuesday, March 20, 2001 of McLean, VA. Beloved husband of Joyce B. Ward; loving father of Leonard C. (Sheryl) III, Robert G., and Douglas S. Ward and Mary (Daniel) Ward Constantino; devoted grandfather of Cierra D., James R. and Austin D. Ward. Also survived by his sister Madelyn (Kenneth) Thompson, of AZ, and sister-in-law Gertrude Ward, of WI.  Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 9, at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 1830 Kirby Rd., McLean, VA, followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

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