William H. Ward
San Clemente Island, Avalon, California 90704, United States
Date of Birth: July 1906
Date of Death: 06/12/1924
From: Dodge City, KS
Death Location: San Clemente Island, CA
Cause of Death:
fire and explosion
Accident: Fire broke out in #2 turret as a result of “flare back” explosions occurred on the ship as a result. The ship was engaged in target practice firing at the time.
U.S. Navy: U.S.S. Mississippi, mother claimed Ward ran away from home and enlisted when he was 15, three years before the explosion.