Players

Edward “Leroy” Ward

Year Inducted: 1990

Category: Players

Schools / Organizations:
Rushville High School
Chillicothe, MO Business College

Biography:

Edward “LeRoy” Ward attended Rushville High School from 1933-37 where he was a four-sport standout.  Ward was his team’s top scorer in basketball and a two-time all-state selection. Ward has also an all-stater in football. He attended Chillicothe (MO) Business College, 1938-39. He was the leading passer on the football team and led the basketball team in scoring and was captain of the Interstate Conference Champions. Ward was named to the all-Missouri Valley Malloy Award as an outstanding athlete. He was also awarded a gold basketball. He distinguished himself on the battlefield. Ward entered the Army in 1942 and was sent to England, then to France . Ward was in France on D-Day and then was sent to Belgium, Holland and Germany. While in Germany he was commissioned as a second lieutenant on the battlefield. He led his company as a combat engineer unit commander. During European battles, Ward was a war hero who received five battle stars, a Purple Heart, French Medal and the Bronze Star. Ward was in Berlin when the Germans surrendered. Leroy Ward died on June 8, 1992 at the age of 73.