WHEREAS, Patrick E. “Patty” Ward was born on August 19, 1947 and was raised in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia where he attended the
St. Francis Xavier grade school;
and
WHEREAS, Overcoming polio as a child, Patty became an active teenager and athlete at Roman Catholic High School, singing in the glee club, and as a member of the track and football teams; and
WHEREAS, During his senior year of high school, his classmates voted him the nicest kid in school; and
WHEREAS, In November 1966, Patty was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War and was assigned the 92nd Assault Helicopter Company, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade; and
WHEREAS, Reaching the rank of Specialist IV, Patty was a helicopter gunner flying in over 25 combat missions in Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, On August 22, 1968 while on a mission, Patty was shot down and killed. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal; and
WHEREAS, To honor Patty and his Fairmount family, a corner neighborhood park at 24th & Aspen is named in his honor; and
WHEREAS, The St. Francis Xavier grade school presents the Patty Ward Memorial Trophy each year; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That Swain Street from Taney Street to 26th Street shall be also named as “Patty Ward Way” to honor and pay tribute to a fine young man who gave his life for his country.
End