San Marino City Councilman Dick Ward didn’t get the placement he desired in 1958 when he enlisted in the Army, but fortune would shine on him some 55 years later.
“The draft was in place so I had a military obligation to fulfill,” said Ward, who, at the time, was a 22-year-old holding a freshly engraved diploma from St. Louis University. “I elected to take the 6-month active duty and 5-1/2 year reserve program.”
Raised in Missouri, Ward’s family had recently relocated to Palos Verdes Estates in December 1957. Ward reported to Ft. Ord in October 1958.
“It was six months of straight infantry training,” Ward remembers. “The first eight weeks were spent in basic training and the next eight weeks were advanced basic training. The remainder was spent at Fort Hunter Liggett in Monterey where we simulated the life of a platoon.”
Ward said he is grateful for learning how to handle a large number of weapons and armaments. He had, however, hoped for an assignment that suited his skill set.
“With a degree in electrical engineering, I was hoping that the Army would put me somewhere I could use my technical background, but it wasn’t to be,” Ward said, in his usual calm, reserved manner.
His remaining reserve service also passed without incident and he eventually achieved the rank of Specialist 4th Class.
“There was a time when the reserves were called up and it looked like I was going to go, but we were never called,” Ward remembers.
Dick Ward, Fort Ord, 1958
He reported for duty one weekend a month and spent his requisite 2-weeks-a-year at Camp Roberts before receiving his honorary discharge in October 1964.
Ward changed course soon after, graduating from USC Law School and marrying his wife, Ann, in 1967. Two years later, the Wards moved to San Marino, where they raised their five children. Daughters Elizabeth, Katherine and Megan went to San Marino Schools through 8th grade before heading to Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy. Sons Peter and Thomas did likewise before graduating from Loyola High School.
Ward was elected to the San Marino City Council on his first candidacy in 2009 and was re-elected four years later. And while he may not have gotten his way in the Army assignment, Ward caught a break in 2013, when he served as San Marino’s mayor during the city’s centennial celebration.
“I was very fortunate the way the calendar arranged itself,” said Ward with a laugh. “We rotate mayors based on the order of who gained the most votes and my time came up in 2013.”
Whenever asked, Ward downplays his service in the military which never led to active duty. He had to be coaxed into providing information for this story.
“But I’m proud that I served,” he said. “It was a good time in my life.”
The council member frequently attends the city’s Memorial Day ceremony in Lacy Park.
“And pretend that I am a real soldier,” he said, out of respect for those who fought.
