American Navy Vice Admiral (1917–2020)
Ralph Weymouth
Born (1917-05-26 ) May 26, 1917Seattle, Washington , U.S.Died January 22, 2020(2020-01-22) (aged 102)Rockport, Maine , U.S. Allegiance United States of America Service/ branch United States Navy 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 , 1938Spouse(s) Laure Bouchage (1940–2009) Children 8, Yann Weymouth (son)Tina Weymouth (daughter)
Weymouth following 1950 crash of his Grumman F9F Panther
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]
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