In 1943 at the age of 19, I was drafted in the Army and went to Jefferson Barracks. I was transferred to Camp Maxey, Texas where I took my Basic Training. After 13 weeks I went home on leave. I proposed to Rose, and we became engaged.
Later I wrote to my mother and asked her to buy an engagement ring for Rose, no matter what it cost and give it to her for Christmas. I wanted to make certain our engagement was official because I wanted to make sure that no one else got her.
Ralph was a well traveled and highly accomplished PFC. Click on the pdf for more of Ralph’s story.