Private Ladd was a medic with the Medical Company, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while tending his wounded comrades near Choch'iwon, South Korea, as his regiment was withdrawing to positions south of the Kum River on 12 July 1950.

Ladd was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Medical Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.