Before World War II began, Orange County had gained experience assisting the nation in wartime. During World War I, citizens of Orange County supported American troops by participating in Red Cross chapters, Salvation Army efforts, and war savings and bonds, and even established an Orange County Council of Defense. During World War II, the United States supported its allies with manufactured supplies, weapons, and, towards the end of the conflict, troops. North Carolina contributed to this effort by building and expanding its military bases, training bases, raw materials production, textile production, and ammunition stockpiles, which also boosted the state economy out of the ongoing national depression.
However, North Carolina didn’t just support the war; its citizens played an active role in the conflict. The state’s training bases graduated around two million combat troops, including aviation and anti-aviation personnel. Ira Ward was one such individual. The Orange County native joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942 after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ward served as an aerial radio operator in the Southwest Pacific for three years. For his service, Ward received the Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze Service Stars, and the Philippine Liberation Medal. When he returned home, Ward served as the Orange County manager, tax supervisor, and commissioner; he also maintained membership with the Hillsborough Lions’ Club and the Rotary Club of Chapel Hill.