Dedication of Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate Building.

The Headquarters Building of TEXCOM Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate at Fort Bragg, North Carolina was dedicated on 16 August 1999, in memory of CW4 John A. Ward.   Mr. Ward was an original  member of the Parachute Test Platoon, and the first Rigger Warrant Officer in the Army. The guest speaker was BG Terry E. Juskowiak, Commander, 1st Corps Support Command.

The Test Directorate selected 16 August 1999 for their ceremony because 16 August 1940 was the date of the first official airborne parachute operation. CW4 Ward was the 7th person to jump in that mission. Last year Lieutenant General William F. Kernan, Commanding General, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, proclaimed 16 August 1998 as Airborne Day. This year Senator Strom Thurmond introduced a resolution into Congress to proclaim 16 August 1999 as National Airborne Day.

Click here for more background information on pioneer parachute rigger CW4 John Ward.