Ralph Earle, Jr.
Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy

Ralph Earle, Jr. was born on 22 December 1900.

Earle was the Commanding Officer of the destroyer USS Ralph Talbot from 1 February 1941 to 9 July 1942. The destroyer was part of the Fleet which was moored at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on 7 December 1941. During the attack, the Ralph Talbot shot down three Japanese planes and survived with minimal damage.

As a Commander, Earle was part of the Pacific Fleet which participated in the Battle of Midway, as well as the raids on Wake and Marcus Islands. He was also the Commander of the USS Topeka from 1 August 1947 to 1 June 1948. His last command was of the Newport Navy Base from 1955 to 1957.

Earle retired as a Vice Admiral.

Death and Burial

Vice Admiral Ralph Earle, Jr. died on 7 September 2000 at age 99. He is buried at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, MD.