Death Caused by Wounds
S 1/c Ralph W. De Vore On A Carrier
Adams County lost another fine young man this week in World War II, when Mr. and Mrs. Guy DeVore, residing a short distance east of Corning, were informed by the Navy Department that their son, S 1/c Ralph Wayne DeVore died of wounds received in action. No date was given. The telegram read as follows:
The navy department deeply regrets to inform you that your son, Ralph Wayne DeVore, S 1/c USNR, died of wounds following action while in the service of his country. No information available at present in regard to disposition of remains but by reason of existing conditions burial at sea or locality of death highly probable. If future information is received you will be promptly notified. To prevent possible aid to our enemies please do not divulge the name of his ship or station. The dept. extends to you its sincerest sympathy in your great loss.
Vice admiral Randolph Jacobs,
Chief of Navy.
Ralph entered military service, joining the Navy in November, 1943. He was employed in defense work in Omaha when he “joined up.” He would have been 23 years old in June. His wife and two children, Ralph Wayne Jr., aged 2, and Roxanna, aged 1 year, reside with her parents at Loveland, Colorado. The last letter received from Ralph was written May 10. He served on an aircraft carrier but further details are not for publication for security reasons.
According to the record being kept in the Free Press Honor Roll, Ralph is the 41st man from Adams county to give his life in World War II. There are three listed as missing.
Source: Adams County Free Press, Corning, Iowa, Thursday, May 31, 1945, Page 6 (photo included)
Ralph Wayne Devore was born June 14, 1922 to Guy Allen and Bessie Harriet Falconer Devore. He died May 13, 1945 (at sea) and is buried in National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Source: ancestry.com
