World War II Honoree

Ralph W. Alewine, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Hedley, Texas

Honored By

Ralph Alewine III

Relationship

Son

IN 1943, VOLUNTEERED FOR THE U.S. NAVY AND RECEIVED OFFICER TRAINING AT MIDSHIPMAN’S SCHOOL AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK. ENSIGN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1944 AND WAS ASSIGNED TO A SUB-CHASER (USS SC-756), OPERATED IN THE PACIFIC THEATER. SERVED AS NAVIGATOR ON THE SHIP FROM FEBRUARY 9, 1945 TO SEPTEMBER 1, 1945, DUTY IN THE PHILIPPINES, TARAWA AND OKINAWA. AFTER ENTERING TOKYO IN AUGUST 1945, THE SHIP WAS DELIVERED TO THE SOVIET NAVY IN THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS AS PART OF PROJECT HULA. HE THEN SERVED ON A PATROL CRAFT ESCORT AROUND JAPAN UNTIL MARCH 1946. RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY IN NEW ORLEANS ON MAY 20, 1946.