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Birdie Africa (Michael Moses Ward)
MOVE Bombing Survivor
The only child to survive the 1985 MOVE bombing in Philadelphia; he was 13 years old when police dropped a bomb on his home, killing 11 people including 5 children, and destroying 61 homes in his neighborhood
Overview
Michael Moses Ward (1972-2013), known within the MOVE organization as Birdie Africa, was 13 years old on May 13, 1985, when the Philadelphia Police Department dropped a satchel bomb containing C-4 and Tovex on the roof of the MOVE compound at 6221 Osage Avenue. He was one of only two survivors of the resulting fire, which killed 11 people, including 5 children aged 7 to 14, and destroyed 61 row homes in the predominantly Black neighborhood. Birdie escaped the burning building and was pulled from the debris by police officers, suffering burns across his body. His mother Rhonda Africa (born Louise James) died in the fire. The decision to drop the bomb was authorized by Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode, Police Commissioner Gregore Sambor, and Fire Commissioner William Richmond, who then ordered firefighters to "let the bunker burn," allowing the fire to spread unchecked through the neighborhood. After the bombing, Birdie was placed in the custody of his biological father, Andino Ward. He changed his name back to Michael Moses Ward. He suffered from PTSD and survivor guilt for the rest of his life. On September 20, 2013, Michael Ward drowned in the swimming pool of a hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was 36 years old. The Philadelphia Medical Examiner ruled his death accidental. In 2021, it was revealed that the University of Pennsylvania Museum had held the remains of two children killed in the MOVE bombing; Tree Africa and Delisha Africa; as anatomical specimens for 36 years without informing their surviving family members, adding another layer of institutional cruelty to the legacy of the bombing.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
At 13 years old, he was one of only two survivors when the Philadelphia Police Department dropped a C-4/Tovex bomb on the MOVE compound, killing 11 people including 5 children
His mother Rhonda Africa died in the fire while the fire commissioner ordered firefighters to let the building burn
After surviving the bombing, he suffered from PTSD, survivor guilt, and the trauma of being the only child to escape alive
Drowned at age 36 in a Fort Lauderdale hotel pool on September 20, 2013; ruled accidental by the medical examiner
The 1985 bombing that nearly killed him destroyed 61 homes in a predominantly Black neighborhood; no city official was criminally charged
In 2021, the University of Pennsylvania and the city of Philadelphia were found to have kept the remains of two children killed in the same bombing as anatomical specimens for 36 years without family notification
Related Investigations (1)
Known Associates & Connections
Ramona Africa
The only adult survivor of the 1985 MOVE bombing; they escaped the fire together
Wilson Goode
Philadelphia mayor who authorized the bombing that killed 11 members of MOVE including 5 children
John Africa
MOVE founder Vincent Leaphart, killed in the 1985 bombing ordered by city officials
Sources & Documentation
4 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Philadelphia Inquirer: MOVE Bombing 30th Anniversary Coverage(2015)
New York Times: The Day Philadelphia Bombed Its Own People (Retrospective)(2020)
MOVE Commission Report: Findings and Recommendations of the Philadelphia Special Investigation Commission(1986)
Philadelphia Inquirer: Penn Museum held remains of MOVE bombing victims for 36 years(2021)
Personal Information
- Born
- 1972
- Birthplace
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Education
Key Timeline
1972
Born Michael Moses Ward in Philadelphia; raised within the MOVE organization under the name Birdie Africa
1985-05-13
Philadelphia police drop a satchel bomb on the MOVE compound at 6221 Osage Avenue; 11 people killed including 5 children; Birdie, age 13, escapes the fire as one of only two survivors
1985-05-13
Fire Commissioner William Richmond orders firefighters to "let the bunker burn"; the fire destroys 61 row homes in the neighborhood
1986
Placed in custody of biological father Andino Ward; changes name back to Michael Moses Ward
1986-03
Philadelphia Special Investigation Commission (MOVE Commission) releases report calling the bombing "unconscionable" but no criminal charges are filed
1996
Federal jury awards $1.5 million in damages to survivors Ramona Africa and the families of those killed, finding the city used excessive force
2013-09-20
Drowns in the swimming pool of a hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at age 36; death ruled accidental
2021-04
University of Pennsylvania Museum revealed to have kept the remains of two children killed in the bombing as anatomical specimens for 36 years without notifying their families