Staff Sgt. James J. Ward, a Coaldale soldier who had been a prisoner of the Germans, has arrived home to begin a furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Ward, of 105 E. Phillips St., Coaldale, and his wife, the former Rose Mary Johnson, of 14 Foster Ave. in the Seek section of the community.

Staff Sgt. Ward fell into German hands when his plane was shot down on Aug. 24, 1944. He was liberated by British troops last May 6.

Arriving home, he appears to be well-recovered from the rigors and unpleasantness of a prison camp.