Joel Ward:
CLASS OF 1956
Arlington Heights High SchoolClass of 1956
Ft. worth, TX
Arlington StateClass of 1962
Arlington, TX
Joel's Story
Military
Began military career as a cadet at Arlington Heights High School and then at Arlington State College (now UTA). Was a member of the nationally acclaimed Sam Houston Rifles becoming its executive officer. As a sophomore, commanded the Best Drilled Company, D Company, in 1958, and ultimately was the corps commander of all 600 ROTC cadets in 1960. Also was one of the 14 cadets who completed the 160 mile march to Fort Hood in June of 1960 to attend ROTC advance camp.
In 1960 married, Sue Marshall, an ASC student from Fort Worth, Texas.
Was a distinguished military graduate when he received regular Army commission as an Army second lieutenant in January of 1963.
He has achieved the following educational milestones.
Bachelor of Arts Degree History 62 University of Texas at Arlington
US Army Command and General Staff College 73 This is a one-year graduate-level xecutive Management Development program.
Master of Arts Degree - Business Management 80 Central Michigan University
US Army War College 84 This is a one-year Doctorate-level Executive Management program with advanced studies in strategic and operational planning at the national level.
Served two combat tours in Vietnam (Mekong Delta) as an advisor to Vietnamese forces in 1965-66 and 1969-70. Awarded three bronze stars, one with V device for valor, the air medal, two Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the residential ...Expand for more
Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Service Medal.
He also served in other key assignments such as:
Commander, 1st Special Training Company, Fort Gordon, Georgia. Responsible for rehabilitating soldiers having motivational, emotional, and physical difficulties in basic training.
Operations Officer for the Army Component of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Inspector General, Office of The Army Inspector General (Pentagon). Dealt with Army-wide issues of the soldier.
Manpower Control Officer, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (Pentagon).
Commander, 2d Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery (Nike Hercules), Germany. This combat unit became the top rated nuclear capable command in NATO.
Special Assistant to the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, US Army Europe on Nuclear, Pershing II and Air Defense Artillery Matters.
Director of Training and Doctrine, US Army Air Defense School, Fort Bliss, Texas.
From 1984 through 1986, he requested assignment and was honored to be accepted to return to UTA as the Professor of Military Science. He is the only former cadet to ever do so. In 1985, he was promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel on the same spot in the University Center that he pinned on his gold second lieutenant bars 22 years earlier.
After a final assignment at Fort Bliss, Texas from 1986 to 1988, Colonel Ward chose to retire and return to the Metroplex.
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