Ward named to head National Guard 37th Infantry

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The adjutant general of Missouri, Maj. Gen. Steve Danner, has named Col. William A. Ward as assistant division commander, 35th Infantry Division, Missouri.

"Col. Ward has a proven record of success, both as the commander of the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Kansas City and as the commander of Task Force Phoenix, which provided state oversight for the cleanup efforts following the 2011 tornado in Jasper and Newton counties," Danner said. "Col. Ward will build on the heritage of the 35th Infantry Division, which was formed in August of 1917."

The 35th Infantry Division is assigned in four states -- Missouri, Kansas, Illinois and Nebraska. The 35th Infantry Division (MO) specifically provides mission command and control of all divisional Soldiers from within the Missouri Army National Guard. The 35th Infantry Division trains and prepares a Family and community based force of Citizen -Soldiers to defend and serve the United States of America.

Ward, who was commissioned as a combat engineer in 1984 through Missouri Southern State University's ROTC program, said he is excited for the new challenges awaiting him.

"The 35th Infantry Division has a rich and storied lineage, from the trenches of the Meuse-Argonne in WWI, the 3rd Army's race across Europe in WWII, to peace keeping operations in Kosovo," said Ward. "Generations of soldiers from the 35th have always answered our nation's call. It is truly an honor to be chosen to lead this generation of soldiers as we face the challenges before us today. I will do my best to carry on the great leadership provided by Brig. Gen. Irwin and look forward to serving with our great soldiers to continue the 35th ID's legacy as the best division in the United States Army."

Ward previously served as commander of the Missouri National Guard's 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Kansas City. During his time in command of the brigade, he was named the commanding officer of Task Force Phoenix, which spearheaded the recovery of southwest Missouri following the devastating May 22, 2011 tornado that struck the area.

"I knew Col. Ward was the right man for the job then, just as I know he will do great things for us as commander of the 35th Infantry Division - Missouri," Danner said. "He is a seasoned officer with two deployments to Iraq and an impressive history of state emergency response missions. Col. Ward brings years of military experience protecting good people from bad things."

As a combat engineer, Ward has held a number of positions including platoon leader, construction engineer, commander of Company B of the 203d Engineer Battalion, civil engineer, battalion operations officer, battalion executive officer, commander of the 203d Engineer Battalion, deputy commanding officer of the 35th Engineer Brigade, and commander, 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.

Ward has deployed overseas eight times including nation building and humanitarian efforts in Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, has two combat tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and has served as a task force commander for National Guard state emergency duty during natural disasters. Ward also stood up the Disaster Recovery Jobs Program following the southwest Missouri tornado.

Ward's military honors include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Army Engineer Association's Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal, the United States Field Artillery Association's Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, and the parachutist badge.

When not serving the Missouri National Guard, Ward is a Department of the Air Force civilian employee, and serves as the engineering division chief, 72nd Civil Engineering Directorate, 72nd Air Base Wing, at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.

Ward is a licensed engineer in the state of Oklahoma, holds a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College and a bachelor of science in civil engineering from the University of Missouri.

Ward is married to wife Janice and has three sons, Bryan, Matthew, and Sean.