Commander James Harmon Ward (September 25, 1806 – June 27, 1861) was the first officer of the United States Navy who was killed during the American Civil War.

The advent of the war with Mexico prompted many naval officers and men to seek assignments on ships serving in Mexican waters.

After intermittent periods awaiting orders and serving at the Washington and Philadelphia Navy Yards, Ward took command of the USS Jamestown and took her to the African coast to hunt slave ships.

Ward volunteered to lead it, but opposition, notably from General Winfield Scott (who perceived it as being futile), forced cancellation of the plans.

Ward pressed for front line service, proposing that a "flying squadron" be established in the Chesapeake Bay for use against Confederate naval and land forces threatening that area south of the Union capital.

As he was sighting the bow gun in his flagship, Thomas Freeborn, Ward was struck by a bullet in his abdomen and fell to the deck, mortally wounded.