Ralph Weymouth
Ralph Weymouth | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 26, 1917 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | January 22, 2020 (aged 102) Rockport, Maine, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service | |
| Years of service | 1938–1973 |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Battles / wars | World War II (Pacific theater), Korean War, Vietnam War |
| Awards | Navy Cross Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (4) |
| Alma mater | U.S. Naval Academy, 1938 |
| Spouse(s) | Laure Bouchage (1940–2009) |
| Children | 8, Yann Weymouth (son) Tina Weymouth (daughter) |
Ralph Weymouth (May 26, 1917 – January 22, 2020)[1] was a decorated Vice Admiral of the United States Navy and anti-nuclear campaigner.[2]
Weymouth was born in Seattle to Ralph Wells Weymouth and his wife Lisbeth Cunningham Sewall. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1938,[3] served two years on surface ships, began naval aviator training, and earned his wings in 1941. One of his classmates was Norman Kleiss.[4]
During World War II while serving as Commanding Officer of Bombing Squadron 16 (VB-16) on the USS Lexington, he received the Navy Cross for actions against the Japanese Navy in the Battle of the Philippine Sea.[1] He was also awarded the Legion of Merit twice and the Distinguished Flying Cross four times.[1] His service continued through the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
During service in post-war Japan, Weymouth became concerned at the effects of nuclear war on the inhabitants of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and became an opponent of nuclear weapons, becoming more active in retirement.[5]
He married Laure Bouchage, of Breton descent, granddaughter of Anatole Le Braz, in 1940, and they had eight children, including Tina Weymouth, former bassist for Talking Heads and currently with Tom Tom Club, and architect Yann Weymouth.[6][7]
Weymouth died at age 102 in Rockport, Maine, on January 22, 2020.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Ralph Weymouth". Military Times. Accessed 18 September 2017
- ^ Dunne, Susan (August 31, 2006). "Combat Pilot Turns Pacifist". Hartford Courant.
- ^ Lucky Bag. Nimitz Library U. S. Naval Academy. First Class, United States Naval Academy. 1938.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ Lucky Bag. Nimitz Library U. S. Naval Academy. First Class, United States Naval Academy. 1938.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ Pamela Alma Weymouth, "A Vice Admiral and WWII Hero Condemns Nuclear Weapons 70 Years After Nagasaki and Hiroshima". Truthdig, 8 August 2015. Accessed 18 September 2017
- ^ Gulf Coast Business review: "No Rock Star-chitect" by Carl Cronan Archived 2012-09-03 at the Wayback Machine August 27, 2010
- ^ "Héritage. D'Anatole Le Braz aux Talking Heads". Le Telegramme (in French). 31 August 2012.
- ^ "Obituary: Ralph Weymouth". The Conway Daily Sun. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
External links
[edit]- National World War II Museum – Becoming a Naval Aviator – Ralph Weymouth
- 1917 births
- 2020 deaths
- United States Navy admirals
- Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)
- American men centenarians
- Military personnel from Seattle
- United States Naval Academy alumni
- United States Navy personnel of World War II
- United States Navy personnel of the Korean War
- United States Navy personnel of the Vietnam War
- American anti–nuclear weapons activists
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)