Ralph Weymouth

Ralph Weymouth (26 May 1917 – 22 January 2020)[1] was a decorated Vice Admiral of the United States Navy and anti-nuclear campaigner.[2]

Ralph Weymouth
Born(1917-05-26)May 26, 1917
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
DiedJanuary 22, 2020(2020-01-22) (aged 102)
Rockport, Maine, U.S.
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1938–1973
RankVice Admiral
Battles/warsWorld War II (Pacific theater),
Korean War, Vietnam War
AwardsNavy Cross
Legion of Merit (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross (4)
Alma materU.S. Naval Academy, 1938
Spouse(s)Laura Bouchage (1920–2009)
Children8, Yann Weymouth (son)
Tina Weymouth (daughter)
Weymouth following 1950 crash of his Grumman F9F Panther

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, served two years on surface ships, began naval aviator training, and earned his wings in 1941.

During World War II while serving as Commanding Officer of Bombing Squadron 16 (VB-16), on the U.S.S. 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.[3]

He married Laura Bouchage, granddaughter of Anatole Le Braz, in 1940 and they had eight children, including Tina Weymouth, former bassist for Talking Heads, and architect Yann Weymouth.[4]

Weymouth died at age 102 in Rockport, Maine, on 22 January 2020.[5]

References
  1. "Ralph Weymouth". Military Times. Accessed 18 September 2017
  2. Dunne, Susan (August 31, 2006). "Combat Pilot Turns Pacifist". Hartford Courant.
  3. 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
  4. Gulf Coast Business review: "No Rock Star-chitect" by Carl Cronan August 27, 2010
  5. "Obituary: Ralph Weymouth". The Conway Daily Sun. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
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