Ralph W. Fordyce 1930-1951

FORDYCE, NIMS, WEDEKING

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 4/14/2012 at 06:53:50

Note: I wasn't sure where to post this obit, but since he lived in Postville & his funeral was held there, I've posted it here & on Fayette where he is buried. Hopefully it will be found by interested researchers.
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Pvt. Ralph Fordyce Killed in Korea
Pvt. Ralph W. Fordyce, 20, who served in Korea less than three months, has been reported killed in action in Korea. According to a telegram from the War

Department received by his brother, Clyde E. Fordyce of Postville, Pvt. Fordyce was killed August 16. No details were given. Pvt. Fordyce would have been 21 years old this month.

He enlisted in the army in December, 1950, and after basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas, was sent overseas the latter part of May, 1951. He was serving with the First cavalry division.

After attending schools in Waterloo, Pvt. Fordyce came to Postville where he resided with his brother for about two years. During that time he was employed as a lineman for the telephone company. Survivors, besides his brother Clyde, include a sister and a brother in New York and his father, who lives in Colorado.

~Postville Herald, September 12, 1951
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Military services were held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at the Schutte Funeral Home for Ralph W. Fordyce, 20, a Korean war casualty, with Rev. Frederick R. Ludwig, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, in charge. Burial was at Alpha [Fayette co. Iowa]

Ralph was killed in action in Korea on August 16, 1951 while serving as a rifleman. His body was returned here by military escort for burial. The local veterans organizations were present at the service.

Ralph William Fordyce, son of Floyd Fordyce and Hattie (Nims) Fordyce, was born September 28, 1930, at Iowa City, and was killed in action in the service of his country on August 16, 1951, near Pam-Kogae, North Korea, aged 20 years, 10 months and 16 days. Ralph spent the early part of his life at Waterloo. The family removed to Denver, Colorado, in 1947. He came to the Postville vicinity in 1949 and was employed as assistant lineman for the telephone company. Following this he assisted his uncle on a farm at Clermont.

He entered the service of his country in January 1951. He received 13 weeks of training at Fort Riley, Kansas, and was then sent overseas to Korea. He was performing his duties as a rifleman with his company when he was killed instantly by small arms fire while his platoon engaged in an attack on enemy positions.

Left to mourn his passing are his father and his step mother of Denver, Colorado; two brothers: Clyde of Postville and Russell in the Navy at Bridgeport, Connecticut; one sister: Mrs. Frank Wedeking of Chicago, Illinois; a half brother, Roger, and a half sister, Lois, both of Denver; two nieces; two nephews; as well as other relatives and friends. Ralph was preceded in death by his mother, in 1936, and a brother, Floyd, Jr., through drowning in 1944.

~Postville Herald, December 5, 1951

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Photo added by Reid R. Johnson, 12/28/2015

Allamakee Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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