RALPH EMERSON ANDERSON
BLACKSMITH
GLASS WORKER
BIRTH
MONDAY | 05 JUL 1920
Asheville, Pickaway County, Ohio, USA
DEATH
SUNDAY | 12 MAR 1961
Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio, USA
40 YEARS - 8 MONTHS - 7 DAYS
DECORATED WAR HERO SUFFERS CIVILIAN WOUNDS
Joe McFarland
The Far-Land Legacy
The Publishing Legacy Company
Friday, March 15, 2024
UPDATED Tuesday, November 12, 2024
BIOGRAPHY
LANCASTER – The day after the celebration of Independence Day, on Monday, July 5, 1920, Ralph Emerson Anderson was born to blacksmith, Elsworth Grafton and Cleo (Adkinson) Anderson in Asheville, Pickaway County, Ohio. After Ralph completed his sixth-grade education, the U.S. Census of 1940 reported his work in a fire department and skill as a blacksmith. His father owned and operated a blacksmith shop in Pickaway County for decades prior to their relocation to Berne Township. By 19 years old, he lived with his sister, Frances, and her husband Oren Sims, who also worked as a blacksmith. He had moved in with them sometime between 1935 and 1940. Ralph married Clarabell Cave who grew up in Lancaster. They obtained their marriage license on Thursday, January 22, 1942, and planned to have Reverend P. E. Wright lead the ceremony, however three days later, on Sunday, January 25, the Reverend was absent and Reverend C. G. Beaver replaced him to commence the ceremony joining Ralph and Clarabell in marriage. Ralph and Clarabell had two daughters, Iona Marie Anderson, born exactly one year after they received their marriage license, January 22, 1943; and another after the war, Judy Kay Anderson, born just before Christmas, on December 23, 1952.
ANDERSON
FAMILY TREE
Elsworth Grafton
Anderson
Cleo Ethel
Adkinson
Roy Wellington
Cave
Emma Iona
Ruble
Ralph Emerson Anderson
MARRIAGE
SUNDAY
25 JAN 1942
LANCASTER
FAIRFIELD COUNTY,
OHIO
Clarabell Cave
Iona Marie Anderson
Judy Kay Anderson
WORLD WAR II
UNITED STATES ARMY
ENLISTMENT: MON 26 OCT 1942
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS
HQ COMPANY, 393RD INFANTRY
MILITARY REGISTRATION CARD | MON 16 FEB 1942
MILITARY STATS
HEIGHT: 6′ 5″
WEIGHT: 165 lbs.
HAIR: Black
EYES: Blue
COMPLEXION: Light
MILITARY SERVICE NUMBER: 35422089
AWARDED: Bronze Star | Oak Leaf Cluster
THE DRAFT
With World War II underway, Ralph registered for the draft less than a month after he and Clarabell were wed, on Monday, February 16th. At that time, he worked for Anchor Hocking as a glass worker in Plant No. 2 and the couple lived at 633 Goodwin Avenue, located just down the road from the plant. A month later the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette published his serial number under Local Selective Service Board No. 1, and his enlistment in the military followed on Monday, October 26, 1942, as he began his service in the United States Army in the 393rd Infantry. After farewells to his expecting wife, Clarabell, who was a few months away from giving birth to their daughter, and his residence at 529 ½ Oakwood Avenue, his unit departed Lancaster by train Monday morning, October 26, 1942, at 8:00 a.m. destined for the Army Reception Center located at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, where they awaited instruction for their assigned training camp. Private First Class Anderson received training at Camp Atterbury in the fall of 1942 and later transferred to Camp Breckinridge in Kentucky. Back at home the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette announced the arrival of Iona Marie on Friday, January 22, 1943. She possibly received the name Iona after Clarabell’s mother, Emma’s middle name.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
FIRST AMERICANS TO CROSS OVER ENEMY LINES
Twenty-eight soldiers infiltrated the German border, south of the Lorie River, during World War II on September 12, 1944. Eleven of them, including Private First Class Anderson, 23, were the first Americans to cross over enemy lines. Private Anderson, a jeep driver, accompanied Lieutenant Magill “on a wild jeep ride over the countryside near Loire,” where they traveled to the German command post on September 5, 1944. Magill realized his platoon remained in close proximity to the German Army and therefore requested two battalions from COL. Crabill to be sent to their position between Mer and Romorantin, France to surround the German Army. Crabill denied the request due to forces already being overextended. Magill devised a cunning plan to outsmart the German Army. After getting the Colonel on board, he and Crabill collaborated to command a team of U.S. aircraft with a special mission to fly over the wooded area where Elsner’s troops were hopelessly pinned by the Amercians, Patton’s Third and Simpson’s Seventh Armies. In a show of air power might, he hoped that the move would spark German surrender, and prove to Elsner that American tactical air power would back up the request for his soldiers to surrender. The sixteen planes appeared, climaxed a tense 45-minute wait period, and during the encounter, Magill managed to convince Nazi Major-General Erich Elsner to give up on American terms in an unconditional surrender. Elsner capitulated and they believed to have captured 5,000 German soldiers who were trapped below the Loire River. Once the surrender started the United States Army realized they actually managed to capture 20,000 enemy troops caught between the invading Allied armies. LT. Magill had requested unconditional surrender of the German forces under a white flag prior to the stunt they maneuvered, however, “the Germans wanted a ‘token battle’ before giving up.”
THAT GANG OF SERGEANT YORKS
After the heroism displayed, the United States gave the 83rd Division platoon the nickname “that gang of Sergeant Yorks,” which referenced the World War I hero, Alvin York, when he single-handedly captured a German Army. “The heroic act led to the liberation of France by the Allies.” After a celebration each platoon member received a commemorative medallion. News arrived with a five day delay from the battlefront and mentioned PFC. Ralph Emerson Anderson as part of the events that unfolded. UP Correspondent, Collie Small, wrote the following:
12 SEP 1944
Felix Van DeWalle, one of LT. Magill’s aides, managed to get word out after this correspondence traveled with him to the events which unfolded behind enemy lines resulting to the 20,000 soldier German surrender. His first-hand encounter witnessed:
“In a jeep bearing a white flag and driven by PFC. Ralph Anderson, Lancaster, O., we raced south through village after village, avoiding Germans as much as possible. Finally we turned down a dusty road into a high-walled courtyard where German mechanics were working on vehicles. We drove past them to the chateau, and climbed out in front of a German colonel. German staff officers in shiny black boots and fancy multi-colored uniforms draped with medals strolled about. German soldiers lounged around the camouflaged cars back of the chateau, chating [sic] and cleaning guns.”
Small continued to explain the way Anderson’s officer, LT. Magill, told about the tactics used to instigate and enforce the surrender of Nazi Major-General Elsner:
“This German force never fought a real battle but for weeks it was harassed by the Maquis and the planes of the U.S. Ninth Air Force. Major-General Elsner’s Nazis met a patrol of 18 Americans led by LT. Samuel W. Magill, 24, of Ashtabula, O., and promptly surrendered. The platoon had been sent out on an intelligence and reconnaissance mission into enemy territory. On Sept. 8 two Maquis told Magill there was a German general farther south who wanted to talk terms. The Maquis said the German escape route almost was closed and that instead of going back to defend the French ports the Germans might be willing to surrender. I sent word to the Germans, hinting I might be agreeable. The commander answered that he was willing if we would send two battalions to the village of Decize for a token battle to make it look good. Hell, I didn’t know of two battalions within a million miles, so I used another angle. I arranged a meeting and asked our air force for planes. I told the air force I would have a smoke signal at a certain crossroads and if I laid a red panel on the ground they should bomb and strafe the German troops as a convincer but if I put down a white panel just to fly around looking menacing. Before the planes arrived I felt pretty optimistic so I placed the white panel and sent two French officers to talk to the Germans. The Germans got a look at all those planes and agreed right away to an armistice. Major-General Elster [sic] agree [sic] to come to the village of Issoudun with one of his staff officers for a conference with General Macon. After that I didn’t do much, but the Germans agreed to surrender at the Loire if they could march there with their arms for protection against the Maquis, who had been scaring them.”
AWARDED FOR SERVICE
Clarabell communicated that Private Anderson sent word and indicated he was stationed in England, APO 83, New York in May 1944. At that time Anchor Hocking published an Honor Roll for their employees who were currently serving in the war on page 38 of the Saturday, May 27, 1944, issue and Ralph E. Anderson was included in the list. PFC. Ralph Anderson received the Bronze Star Medal and the Oak Leaf Cluster for exemplary service in the 329th Infantry, 83rd Division from July 4, 1944, to May 7, 1945, during his time in France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany. As he distinguished himself in operations against the enemy, “Anderson drove the Intelligence and Reconnaissance platoon and participated in all the engagements of the platoon as he executed all his assignments in a superior manner. Despite fatigue, enemy fire, and uncertain factual situations, Anderson voluntarily went on patrols into enemy territory.” By Tuesday, March 6, 1945, the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette reported Private Anderson’s relocation to Luxembourg. The United States Army honorably discharged Anderson after the end of the War, on Thursday, October 11, 1945, after two years, eleven months, and eleven days of service to the military during World War II. During that time, he fought overseas for seventeen months and fifteen days at fronts which included: England, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe, Luxemburg, Germany, and Holland.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY AIRPORT – PORT LANCASTER
Once back to civilian life, after the war, two years later, 27 year old war veteran, Ralph Anderson, worked as the service chief along with flight instructor, E. H. “Bill” Norris and ground school instructor, Ted Young at the Fairfield County Airport (KLHQ), formerly Port Lancaster, located on U.S. State Route 33, north of Lancaster. Originally from Thurston, Bill piloted B-29s and B-17s during World War II and logged over 5,000 flight hours. He also flew “heavies over the ‘Hump’ to China.” That year the manager of the airport, Sam LeFever, announced two new additional airplanes, the Aeronca Chief, and another instructor were set to arrive once the airport purchased the additional resources. After acquiring the two new aircrafts, the airport owned eight planes for GI and private flight training courses and the airport also houses 12 planes in the 20-plane hanger. The training program includes a Aeronca Chief, Taylorcrafts, a PT 19 (Fairchild), AT 16 Navy trainer, and a four place Stimson Voyageur.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
When Ralph and Clarabell’s daughter, Iona, turned eight, they held a celebration and welcomed friends to their home on Monday, January 22, 1951. Clarabell’s mother, Emma Iona (Ruble) Cave assisted her with the refreshments as they hosted the event. The host and guests enjoyed an evening playing games and watching television. In August 1951, Ralph added his name to the petition including 8,340 citizens from Lancaster who opposed the pay roll income tax proposal.
BIRTH OF SECOND DAUGHTER
By the end of 1952, Ralph and Clarabell expected a baby and Clarabell gave birth to a girl on Tuesday, December 23rd at the Lancaster-Fairfield Hospital. By this time the family of four lived at 415 East Chestnut Street and Ralph continued to work in Plant No. 2 at the Anchor Hocking Glass Company Plant.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE
About two years later, Ralph left on an airplane on Monday, Valentine’s Day, of 1955, with an all expense paid destination to Los Angeles, California to appear on the television show, “This Is Your Life,” which aired across television broadcasts, on Channel 4, late on Wednesday, February 16, 1955 at 10:00 p.m. The program, known for surprising an unsuspecting celebrity or influential individual invited Anderson to partake in celebration of their comrade Captain Samuel Wallace Magill. During the time he was sworn to secrecy to not identify the person he was speaking about. When he finished, he was an honored guest at the after-show party before leaving. Once the show was finished the identity of the individual became known as Captain Samuel Wallace Magill, who Anderson served with in the 83rd platoon across German enemy lines. On the show, Ralph Edwards reunited the old war soldiers to reminisce on old war times.
FATAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
Six years later, on Friday, March 10, 1961, the fourth fatal traffic accident of the county occurred at the intersection of Ewing Street and Duffey Road, which left Ralph Anderson with a fractured right knee and five-inch head laceration to his forehead. The squad arrived, attempted to treat his injuries, however, within forty-eight hours he drew his last breath and passed away at 1:15 a.m., on Sunday, March 12, at the Lancaster-Fairfield Hospital. Coroner L. L. Kersell, M.D. believed that his death came as a direct result of his injuries from the accident since he, “suffered from a scalp wound, compound fracture of the right knee, and severe shock.” Officials stated there was not an exact time the accident occurred as it was found against a culvert at 2 a.m. by a passing motorist who noticed something in the ditch. At the time of his death, Ralph lived at 108 Cleveland Avenue and worked for twenty years at Anchor Hocking as a glass worker in Plant No. 2.
FUNERAL
Ward Halteman Funeral Home held the funeral service on Tuesday, March 14, 1961 at 2 p.m. as Reverend Eugene Flowers officiated the service and burial at Forest Rose Cemetery. Ralph lies buried next to his wife in Section B1, lot 448, as reported by Find A Grave.
BURIAL
FOREST ROSE CEMETERY – PFC. Ralph Emerson Anderson lies buried next to his wife, Clarabell, in the Forest Rose Cemetery located in Section B1, Lot 448.
Check out others from the same generation, those who lived in the same place, served in the military,
buried in the same cemetery, or select the Fairfield County map to go back to the Legend Page.
THE REFERENCES
R
THE REFERENCES
“Accept 65, Twenty Draftees Held Over,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Tuesday, October 13, 1942, 1.
“Anderson,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Tuesday, January 26, 1943, 2.
“Anderson,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Tuesday, December 23, 1952, 26.
“Birthday Party In Anderson Home,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Wednesday, January 24, 1951, 3.
“Births: Anderson,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Wednesday, June 27, 1956, 2.
“Bronze Star,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Saturday, September 8, 1945, 5.
“Discharge Received By Ralph Anderson,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Saturday, October 13, 1945, 4.
“Honor Roll,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Saturday, May 27, 1944, 38.
“In England,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Friday, May 12, 1944, 10.
“Lancaster Man On ‘This Is Your Life,'” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Wednesday, February 16, 1955, 1.
“Lancastrian On TV With Heroic US Platoon,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Thursday, February 17, 1955, 1.
“Lancastrian One Of First 11 Yanks To Enter German Territory South Of Loire,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Tuesday, September 19, 1944, 2.
“Marriage License,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Thursday, January 22, 1942, 2.
Natalie Herdman, “Ralph E. Anderson,” Find A Grave, Last modified November 6, 2012, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100283039/ralph-e-anderson/.
“New Address,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Tuesday, March 6, 1945, 4.
“Port Lancaster Buys Two More Training Planes,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Tuesday, April 15, 1947, 2.
“Pvt. Ralph Anderson,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Tuesday, November 24, 1942, 8.
“Redeeming Love,” and “Be Kind To Older Folks,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Wednesday, May 26, 1943, 8.
“Registrants’ Serial Numbers,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Wednesday, March 11, 1942, 5.
“Squad Runs,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Friday, March 10, 1961, 2.
“Strange Capitulation,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Tuesday, September 19, 1944, 2.
“Ten Years Ago,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Saturday, September 18, 1954, 6.
“Ten Years Ago,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Tuesday, April 16, 1957, 6.
“These Citizens of Lancaster, 8340, All Oppose Pay Roll Income Tax,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Saturday, August 11, 1951, 6.
“World War II Hero, Hurt In Crash, Dies,” Lancaster Eagle-Gazette, Monday, March 13, 1961, 1.
BACKGROUND PHOTO
Heckel, Samantha. Bronze Star. 2022. Digital. PATreasury.gov, https://www.patreasury.gov/newsroom/archive/2022/05-27-Bronze-Star.html.
All Design Elements and Media by The Far-Land Legacy
