Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge soldier killed in Afghanistan receives Purple Heart, Bronze Star

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SSG Christopher Michael Ward

Christopher Michael Ward

The Oak Ridge soldier who was killed in Afghanistan one week ago received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal during his funeral Saturday, as well as a Tennessee Fallen Heroes Medal.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Michael Ward, 24, was killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan on April 6.

The medals were presented to his mother, Joyce Ward of Oak Ridge, during a funeral on Saturday at Weatherford Mortuary.

“On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you,” U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann told Joyce Ward.

[Read more…]

Fallen soldier’s body escorted through Oak Ridge

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Salute to Christopher Michael Ward

Oak Ridge firefighters salute as Oak Ridge police and other law enforcement officers escort the body of U.S. Army soldier Christopher Michael Ward, 24, to Weatherford Mortuary. Ward died in southern Afghanistan on April 6. (Photo by Tom Scott)

Oak Ridge Police Department motorcycles and police cars helped escort the body of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Michael Ward, 24, from McGhee Tyson airport to Oak Ridge on Friday morning.

Ward, who was killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan on April 6, was taken to Weatherford Mortuary, where a receiving of friends starts at 10 a.m. Saturday before a 12 p.m. celebration of life.

Oak Ridge police had units stationed at intersections as Ward’s body was escorted through the city. Oak Ridge firefighters saluted as the hearse passed by Oak Ridge Turnpike and Illinois Avenue at about 10:30 a.m. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge to fly flags at half-staff Friday, Saturday to remember fallen soldier

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Flags at the Oak Ridge Municipal Building and city facilities will be flown at half-staff from noon Friday until sunset Saturday in honor of a solider killed in Afghanistan last week, City Manager Mark Watson said.

Funeral services for U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Michael Ward, 24, start at 10 a.m. Saturday at Weatherford Mortuary in Oak Ridge. Ward’s mother lives in Oak Ridge, and he attended Oak Ridge High School before enlisting in the Army at 17. [Read more…]

Funeral service Saturday for Oak Ridge soldier killed in Afghanistan

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SSG Christopher Michael Ward

SSG Christopher Michael Ward

A Saturday funeral has been scheduled for an Oak Ridge soldier killed in southern Afghanistan by a suicide car bomber last weekend.

The funeral for U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Michael Ward, 24, starts with a receiving of friends from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary in Oak Ridge.

A celebration of Chris’ life will follow at 12 p.m. Family and friends will have a chance to share their stories and memories of Chris. Full military honors will be provided.

Following the services, the family will welcome friends to their home in Oak Ridge, the obituary said. In keeping with Chris’ wishes, his body will be cremated. [Read more…]

B&W Y-12 names Carl Strock as UPF project director

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Carl Strock

Carl Strock

Retired Lt. Gen Carl Strock has been named Uranium Processing Facility project director for B&W Y-12 at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

He reports to Jim Haynes, B&W Y-12 deputy general manager for projects.

Strock is Bechtel’s former manager of global construction. He joined Bechtel in 2007 after retiring as head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after serving in the U.S. Army for more than 36 years. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge soldier killed in Afghanistan was a hero, died protecting others, mom says

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Christopher M. Ward Dignified Transfer

A U.S. Army carry team transfers the remains of Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Ward of Oak Ridge during a dignified transfer ceremony on Monday at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)

Note: This story was last updated April 10.

A chaplain and another military representative knocked on her door at about 10:35 p.m. Saturday.

Joyce Ward of Oak Ridge knew why there were there.

She learned that her son, Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Ward, 24, had died in southern Afghanistan on Saturday morning helping a diplomat and two other soldiers deliver books to children in Zabul province when their vehicle was hit by an explosion.

“He is a hero,” Joyce Ward said. “He gave his life. He put himself in the line of fire to protect others.” [Read more…]

Anderson Veterans Officer presents long-overdue medal

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Information from WYSH Radio

On Monday morning, Anderson County Veterans Service Officer Leon Jaquet and other officials gathered in his office in the Courthouse to present a long-overdue Purple Heart to the widow of a soldier wounded during World War II.

Former U.S. Army rifleman Louis Allison was wounded in Germany in early 1945 but never received his Purple Heart. He passed away in 2003 at the age of 80. [Read more…]