World War II Honoree

Ralph E. Dudley

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

East Douglas, Massachusetts

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ONE OF THE ‘BOYS OF DOUGLAS’ WHO SERVED DURING THE WAR. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS BENNINGTON (CV-20). HIS SHIP, NICKNAMED 'BIG BENN' TOOK PART IN AIR RAIDS ON THE JAPANESE HOME ISLANDS FROM JULY 10TH TO AUGUST 14, 1945 WHEN THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THE ALLIED UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER TERMS. THE CARRIER THEN CONTINUED OPERATIONS IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC AND SUPPORTED OCCUPATION FORCES IN JAPAN AFTER THE END OF HOSTILITIES. CARRIER AIRCRAFT ALSO PARTICIPATED IN A FLY-OVER OF THE FORMAL SURRENDER CEREMONY IN TOKYO BAY ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1945. AWARDED THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON, CHINA SERVICE MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, WWII VICTORY MEDAL, AND NAVY OCCUPATION SERVICE MEDAL WITH ‘ASIA’ CLASP. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE WWII HONORABLE DISCHARGE LAPEL PIN.