World War II Honoree

Ralph R. Rakich

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Honored By

Hal D. Terrell

Relationship

WWII Buddy

SERVED ABOARD THE SUBMARINE USS RASHER SS-269 (NICKNAME: RED SCORPION) IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. PARTICIPATED IN TWO WOLF PACK COMBAT PATROLS IN THE EAST CHINA SEA, SOUTH PACIFIC AND JAPAN’S HOME ISLANDS. HE WAS INJURED BUT SURVIVED THE BOMBING OF HIS SUBMARINE WHILE ON PATROL BY ENEMY AIRCRAFT. LATER HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE SUBMARINE TENDER USS GRIFFIN, SAILED FOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, AND WAS HOSPITALIZED AT THE TREASURE ISLAND NAVAL HOSPITAL. PRIOR TO GOING ABOARD THE RASHER, HE COMPLETED HIS BASIC MILITARY AT THE U.S. NAVAL TRAINING STATION, FARRAGUT IDAHO; STERN TORPEDOES AND HIGH PRESSURE HYDRAULICS TRAINING AT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA; AND SUBMARINE TRAINING AT NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT. DECORATIONS: PURPLE HEART MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH TWO BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, THE SUBMARINE WARFARE INSIGNIA PIN AND THE SUBMARINE COMBAT PATROL INSIGNIA PIN. HIS SUBMARINE WAS AWARDED SEVEN BATTLE STARS FOR HER WWII SERVICE. ENTERED THE SERVICE DECEMBER 13, 1943 AND WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED FEBRUARY 12, 1946 AT THE U.S. NAVAL HOSPITAL, TREASURE ISLAND, CALIFORNIA.