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This Chapter shall be known as the LT. RALPH TALBOT (USMC) CMOH, DAV Chapter 65 (Department of Massachusetts).
Second Lieutenant Ralph Talbot was born January 8, 1897 in South Weymouth, Massachusetts. He enrolled on May 26, 1918, as a Second Lieutenant (provisional) in Class 5; a Marine Corps Reserve Flying Corps. Upon enrollment he was assigned to active service with the First Marine Aviation Force, Miami, Florida. On June 4, 1918 he was appointed a Second Lieutenant (provisional) in Class 5, by the Major General Commandant, with rank from April 13, 1918. He was detached on July 12, 1918 to foreign shore expeditionary service in France and assigned to duty with the Northern Bomber Group. RALPH TALBOT was the first Marine Pilot to receive the CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR for exceptionally meritorious service and extra ordinary heroism.
While attached to Squadron C, First Marine Aviation Force in France; he participated in numerous air raids into enemy territory. On October 8, 1918, while on such a raid, he was attacked by nine enemy scouts; and, in the fight that followed, shot down an enemy plane. On October 14, 1918, while on an air raid over Pittham, Belgium, Lieutenant Talbot and one other plane became detached from the formation due to loss of power by motor and were attacked by twelve enemy scouts. During the severe fight that followed, he shot down one of the enemy scouts. His observer was shot through the elbow and his gun jammed. He cleared the jam with one hand while Lieutenant Talbot maneuvered to gain time, and then returned to fight. The observer fought on until he was shot twice in the stomach and once in the hip. When he collapsed, Lieutenant Talbot attacked the nearest enemy scout with his front guns and shot him down. With his observer unconscious and his motor failing, he dove to escape the balance of the enemy and crossed the German trenches at an altitude of fifty feet; landing at the nearest hospital and leaving his observer to return, alone, to his aerodrome.
For the President, Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy, at 3:00 PM on the afternoon of 29 October, 1918, Lt. Talbot was buried in the British Military Cemetery at Les Barracques, near Calais, France. His body was later repatriated to Mt. Wollaston Cemetery, Family Lot 22, Grave 9, in Quincy, Massachusetts. NOTE: A destroyer was commissioned in 1937 to honor Lt. Talbot. It performed conspicuously at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It is the most decorated destroyer of WWI I (Pacific Theater); receiving fifteen battle stars. It suffered fourteen KIAs during Kamikaze attacks at the Battle of Okinawa and rescued twenty-six survivors of the USS Indianapolis. A school (with an historical exhibit) and amphitheater are dedicated in honor of Lt. Talbot in his hometown of Weymouth, Massachusetts.
Your library may have the book: “The USS Ralph Talbot and her Gallant Men,” or it can be purchased from Publication Syndication International, P.O. Box 6218, Charlottesville, VA 22906-6218. There is also a USS Ralph Talbot (DD390) Association; Newsletter Editor is Lala Klenman, 24804 9th Pt. S., Des Moines, WA 98198; Tel: 206-878-4607.
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We are dedicated to a single purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. We accomplish this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America's injured heroes on Capitol Hill; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life.
This mission is carried forward by:
- Providing free, professional assistance to veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services earned through military service and provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other agencies of government;
- Providing outreach concerning its program services to the American people generally, and to disabled veterans and their families specifically;
- Representing the interests of disabled veterans, their families, their widowed spouses and their orphans before Congress, the White House and the Judicial Branch, as well as state and local government;
- Extending DAV’s mission of hope into the communities where these veterans and their families live through a network of state-level Departments and local Chapters; and
- Providing a structure through which disabled veterans can express their compassion for their fellow veterans through a variety of volunteer programs.
Who is Eligible to Join DAV?
Any man or woman, who was wounded, gassed, injured or disabled in the line of duty during time of war, while in the service of either the military or naval forces of the United States of America, and who has not been dishonorably discharged or separated from such service, or who may still be in active service in the armed forces of the United States of America is eligible for membership in Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Others who are disabled while serving with any of the armed forces of any nations associated with the United States of America as allies during any of its war periods, who are American citizens and who are honorably discharged, are also eligible.
How Does DAV Membership Benefit You?
As a DAV Member, in addition to DAV programs and services, members are entitled to Member Advantages, which gives you access to a variety of important programs, products, and services. Also included with your membership is a FREE subscription to DAV Magazine.
What is DAV's Dues Structure?
Life membership is permanent. Life membership dues are $300 and can be paid in interest-free installments following a minimum $40.00 down payment, or as little as $10.00 per month with recurring credit card payment. Those 80 and over are free.
Help DAV in its effort to help you. Sign up for membership today! To sign up for membership - Complete an Online Membership Application or print out the Membership Application, fill it out, enclose your membership payment, and mail it in right away to:
DAV
Attn: Membership Department
PO BOX 145550
Cincinnati, OH 45250
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