A. C. “Carl” Ward lives at the beaches of Southeastern North Carolina with his wife, Jolene, and the family cat, Heidi. He retired from the Army after 30 years of service and continued as a consultant to various “Top 5” Federal Contractors in the Washington, DC area on various programs and projects dealing with Department of Defense and Homeland Security. He then opened his own successful consulting company and later sold it when he retired (for the “15th time” according to Jolene). He has since been focusing on historical research, writing, and speaking engagements.
A. C. “Carl” Ward lives at the beaches of Southeastern NC with his wife, Jolene and the family cat, Heidi. Carl retired from the Army after 30 years of military service and continued providing consulting services with various “Top 5” Federal Contractors in the Washington, DC area on various programs and projects dealing with Department of Defense and Homeland Security. He then opened his own successful consulting company and later sold it when he retired (for the “15th time” according to his wife, Jolene). Note the Radio Shack TRS 80 Portable Computer I had been using for years before we ever saw computers at the offices. Carl with an early computer workstation, the Radio Shack TRS 80 portable computer.
Carl began his military career as an enlisted soldier and within four years his fellow non-commissioned officers suggested he might make a “pretty good officer.” While reluctant to become an officer, he went to Officer Candidate School and became a second lieutenant in the Infantry. As a young officer with a reputation for being a good shot, he was assigned to the Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Hood, TX. The group was very successful, winning multiple competitions. Their motto was, “If you can see it, we can hit it!” They fired in both combat and civilian matches at ranges from 100 to 1,000 yards.
Later, Carl moved to weapons systems and training development with the US Army Training and Doctrine Command then located at Fort Monroe, VA. During that time, he received a master’s in business administration and attended the Yale University School of Management for Senior Executives. While in the Army, he attended senior level education such as the Defense Systems Management College, Command and General Staff College, Defense Acquisition University, and National Defense University. Carl inspecting the results of a test firing exercise using plastic ammunition.
The Army sent Carl to its Cold Weather Training and Instructor Course. After the training and certification, he was responsible for training units in Cold Weather Operations and became an instructor for training instructors. Given his high marksmanship, he was recommended for the biathlon (skiing and shooting). So, he went to Lake Placid and learned what was required. What he then learned was he could shoot but he could not ski fast enough to make the team. However, he was acknowledged at the best shot on the team. Carl even trained with the US Olympic Biathlon Team.
As a member of the First Cavalry Division and the famous 2nd of the 7th Cavalry, he served in nearly every position within a Mechanized Infantry Line Company including Rifle Platoon Leader, TOW Missile Platoon, Mortar Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon, Executive Officer, and Company Commander. At Battalion, he served as a Battalion Intel Officer, S1, S2, S3 (Air), S3, BN Executive Officer. He later commanded a brigade-sized unit. The days when US soldiers we paid in cash, even while in the field.
Carl was assigned as an Operations and Training Officer for the North Carolina Army National Guard. He is in the passenger seat wearing the unit’s distinctive ‘black beret’. The unit was frequently asked to participate in local parades and special events in recognition of Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans Day
Carl taught Military History and Senior Cadets at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, from 1985-1989. He was also a faculty advisor for the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Pershing Rifles Drill Team, which won three straight NCAA National Championships. SGM Don Shamblin is the distinguished gentleman on the far-left side. He was a superior senior Non-Commissioned Officer with a highly dedicated and decorated Army Career. Carl is very pleased to have known him and call him a friend. Carl with the NCAA National Championship-winning Rifles Drill Team of Appalachian State University Army ROTC.
Since retiring from the military and his consultancy service, Carl has continued to write and tell stories that convey messages of importance to him: family, courage, integrity, and faith. He has diligently worked on several major writing projects including ‘A Dragon Under the Mountain’, ‘Thoughts of a Common Man – Volume I’, ‘For Twenty Dollars in Gold, A Story of the Civil War’, ‘If I Only had Wings’, ‘A Story Retold, Are Dragons Real?’ for young adults, and ‘Revisiting the Thoughts of a Common Man
Based on a true story, Carl offers this short reason for his latest book, For Twenty Dollars in Gold, A Story of the Civil War.
“Over the course of a century and a half, the telling of this story has changed, just as our contemporary times have changed in the United States from those of our forebearers, but the principles contained within it have remained consistent. While many may choose to ignore or forget history, I believe it is imperative that we study and understand what drove men to fight in a civil war for what some called ‘the heart and soul of our nation’, and what that really means. As historians we are taught, ‘Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.’”
Please visit: “A Discovery of the Past”.
The true “Highwater Mark” at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863.
I am always overwhelmed when I visit Gettysburg and I walk up from Seminary Ridge to Cemetery Ridge. The Pink North Carolina Monument signifies the verified furthest point of the 26th Regiment of North Carolina Troops.
A note from Carl –
“Since you are here, I want to consider you a friend. Welcome. Please do not hesitate to drop me a line if you have any comments or questions – I’ve spent over 74 years at the university of hard knocks, and I am still learning.”
Please visit: A Discovery of the Past
My story began in the summer between my 12th and 13th birthday, or the summer of 1961. As usual for me, the weekend following the end of the school year meant traveling to Southeastern North Carolina to the Ward (Dad’s side of the family) and Thompson (Mom’s side of the family) farms.
It was during such a summer that I discovered a staircase hidden behind a closet door in the Ward family farmhouse. On one Sunday afternoon, with nearly everyone catching an afternoon nap after church and a big farm lunch, I climbed the staircase to find another door. Behind that second door, I found an attic which was not unlike many attics. I saw old furniture, wooden boxes, several hanging framed portraits, and clothes hanging on makeshift lines.
My attention was quickly drawn to a medium sized sea chest. It was made of wood slats bound by metal strips. It had a large metal lock on the front side. Being curious, I eased the metal lock open and lifted the top of the chest. It is dusty in the attic of most farmhouses. As I lifted the chest lid, dust swirled in the air, and some got into my eyes. With lots of blinking and wiping away tears, I was able to see the contents of the chest.