Norvell G. Ward

Norvell Gardiner Ward (30 December 1912 – 19 July 2005) was an American naval officer and a recipient of the Navy Cross. He was a submariner for most of his naval career, but was also known for his planning and war gaming abilities. As an rear admiral was instrumental in planning and overseeing many naval operations during the Vietnam War, notably Operation Market Time.

Ward was born in Indian Head, Maryland, the son of a civil service supervisor at the Naval Powder Factory. He received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in 1931. During his senior year at the academy he was recognized as an all-American lacrosse player.

World War II

During World War II, Ward was initially assigned to submarine USS Seadragon where he went on five patrols. Ward served as executive officer of submarine USS Gato before assuming command of submarine USS Guardfish in May 1943. While on patrol from 14 June to 31 July, Ward was able to sink eight Japanese ships in six "well planned and executed" torpedo attacks totaling more than 38,000 tons, which earned him a Navy Cross. After reassignment, he served as assistant operations officer on the staff of the commander of Pacific submarine forces for the remainder of the war.

Korean War

During the Korean War he asked for and received assignment as the commanding officer of USS Yarnall. This assignment lasted from 28 February 1951 to 18 June 1952 and was unusual for a submariner, but he wanted operational experience as a surface ship commanding officer.

Post-Korean War Assignments

Ward was assigned as the commander of a submarine squadron that had the responsibility of testing the surface-fired Regulus missile. In 1958, he entered the Polaris missile program and later was assigned as the commander of Submarine Squadron 14, the first group of Polaris submarines deployed overseas.

Vietnam War

On 31 July 1965 Ward was assigned as head of the Naval Advisory Group, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV). As head of the Naval Advisory Group he played a key role in the planning and organization of Operation Market Time, the program to stop arms and supplies from being smuggled into South Vietnamese coastal waters by North Vietnam. On 1 April 1966 the Naval Advisory Group was disestablished and Ward became Commander, Naval Forces Vietnam. He was succeeded by Rear Admiral Kenneth Veth.

Post-Vietnam

Ward retired from the Navy in 1973 while serving as Commander, Caribbean Sea Frontier and Commandant, 10th Naval District, based in Puerto Rico. While assigned to the 10th Naval District, he was had to mediate confrontations between superiors at The Pentagon and residents of the island of Culebra while it was used as a Navy practice target range.

Ward was married to Elizabeth Kearney in 1937. He turned down opportunities for promotion to vice admiral in order to be closer to his wife who suffered from bouts with cancer. They had four children; Commander Norvell G. Ward, Jr.,USN (ret), William H. Ward, Elizabeth Ward Schafer, and Captain Alexander K. Ward, USMC. Alexander died of wounds received in Vietnam in 1968.