Born:                             25 February 1922

Enlistment date:            27 February 1940        Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Deployments:                Panama, Europe

Units:                             551st Parachute Infantry Battalion

Rank:                            Major

Specialisations:             Parachutist

Qualifications:              Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachute Wings

Decorations:                  Bronze Star, EAME Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Presidential Unit Citation

Discharge Date:            1945

Deceased:                      09 August 2010 

Other Information:       

Ralph came from a large family and was the 7th child to parents originally from Iowa, Ralph joined the Army two days after his 18th birthday and served in World War II with the 551st Parachute Infantry and in Korea on loan to Oklahoma's 45th Division. With the 551st he served in North Africa, Italy, parachuted into France in Operation Dragoon and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, where his unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. After the military Ralph worked for the Post Office for 19 years before his retirement. He also remained in the National Guard after the war.  Ralph is buried at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma​