Nicholson, Georgia, native Mike Ward was a career helicopter pilot in war and peace. In 1970-71, he flew the Huey helicopter for the U.S. Army in Vietnam as a Chief Warrant Office and medivac helicopter pilot. He received the U.S. Army Commendation Medal in 1970, the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1970, the Bronze Star in 1971, and the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1971. After flying for the Army, he flew for WSB Radio and 11 Alive TV in the 1970's and 80's. He later flew for Helicopter Express, flying fire fighting helicopters for the U.S. Forestry Service from 1994 - 2004. On August 11, 2004, he died while unloading fire fighting equipment in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area in Wenatchee, Washington.