RALPH EUGENE GUNN’s true name was Robert Henry Gunn according to a US Navy document found in his Navy Service Record and authenticated by his parents in the same record. Why his name was changed to Ralph Eugene Gunn is not known. He was born in Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama on Wednesday, 27 Dec 1911 to Robert Henry and Annie Mae (Lee) Gunn. They were married on 17 Nov 1910 in Montgomery, AL. Ralph was the eldest of six children. His siblings were: Mary Leola Sharp (1914-2007), Robert Berry (1916-1985), Annie Laura Gunn (1919-1992), Raybon Lee (1921-2009), and Margaret Ruth Barnett (1927-2006). Three sons and three daughters. Robert H. Gunn was a machinist by trade for most of his working life.

Ralph attended the Highland Park school where he was the quarterback for the school’s Highland Park “Tigers” football team. In 1925, Ralph joined Boy Scout Troop 21 in Montgomery, Al. A year later, Ralph left school and was employed at the Tom Minto Battery Company in Montgomery. He worked for that company between Aug 1926 and Jun 1929. On 31 July 1929, Ralph submitted an application to enlist in the US Navy at the Navy Recruiting Substation (NRS) in Montgomery, AL. The reason he gave for enlisting was to learn a trade. He listed his occupation as an electrician, and he listed his education as having finished the 8th grade. On 03 August 1929, Robert H. Gunn signed the minority enlistment consent form for his son to enlist in the US Navy for four years at the rank of Apprentice Seaman (AS).

As part of the vetting process for a potential navy recruit, a Navy recruiter interviewed Ralph’s parents. It was during this interview that it was learned that Ralph’s true name was Robert Henry Gunn, Jr., but at some point his birth name was changed to his current name of Ralph Eugene Gunn. After the necessary police checks and personal references were returned to the NRS, Ralph traveled to the regional recruiting station in Birmingham, AL where he passed a physical exam and later that day, 04 October 1929, Ralph enlisted under a minority contract (he wasn’t 21 yet) to serve until 26 Dec 1932 in the US Navy as an AS at the monthly pay of $21.00. It was determined that he was most qualified for the Artificer trade group specifically as an electrician. His navy service number was 271-97-72.

AS Gunn boarded the train later that evening bound for the Naval Training Station (NTS) at Hampton Roads, VA where he began 8-10 weeks of recruit training. He arrived in Hampton Roads on 07 Oct 1929. Gunn graduated from recruiting training on 06 Jan 1930. He was granted 10 days of “recruit leave.” The Montgomery Advertiser (09 Jan 1930, Thur., p.7), reported that on Tuesday, 7 Jan 1930, Ralph arrived home to visit his parents, M/M R.H. Gunn on Plum Street. At the end of that time he’ll report back to NTS, Hampton, Rhodes to await his orders for assignment. On 16 Feb 1930, AS Gunn advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c).

S2c Gunn received his orders about a week later to report for duty to the battleship, USS Arkansas (BB-33). He was transferred on 26 Feb 1930 to the light cruiser, USS Milwaukee (CL-55) for further transfer to the Arkansas. On 08 March 1930, S2c Gunn reported for duty onboard the BB-33. On 17 Mar 1930, S2c Gunn changed his rate to Fireman Third Class (F3c) in order to pursue a career in the Artificer field. On 03 Oct 1930, F3c Gunn was granted 21 days leave. His leave was to expire on 25 Oct 30. The Montgomery Advertiser, (Fri., Oct 10, 1930, p.14.) wrote that Gunn who was stationed at the naval base in New York was visiting his parents M/M Robert Gunn on Plum Street. Then on 19 Oct 1930, the paper wrote that Ralph would leave that week from Plum St., and return to Hampton Roads, VA from there he would sail for Brooklyn, NY. He will cruise to Cuban waters at an early date, having recently returned from France and other European countries. While home he attended a Halloween party hosted by Miss Martha Flournoy and many young women.

On 15 Jan 1931, F3c Gunn advanced in rate to F2c onboard Arkansas undergoing maintenance at the New York Navy Yard, New York. During the months of Oct and Nov 1931, Gunn was granted 25 and then 30 days of leave to return home. The following year of 1932 saw F2c Gunn receive an honorable discharge on board Arkansas in San Diego on 06 Oct 1932. His monthly pay was $54.00. The following day, he reenlisted for four years. On 27 Nov 1932, Gunn advanced in rate to Fireman First Class (F1c). On 06 April 1933, F1c Gunn requested a transfer to Asiatic Station duty onboard the heavy cruiser, USS Augusta (CA-31). His request was denied. On 31 Dec 1933, Ralph Eugene Gunn (26) and Bess Cleveland (28) married in Yuma, AZ. According to their marriage license, he was a native of Alabama and Bess was a native of Minnesota. Her address: 3058 12th St., Los Angeles, CA. For some reason they gave incorrect ages on their marriage application. Bess’ maiden name was Wilson. Gunn changed his beneficiary to Mrs Bess Cleveland Gunn of 3058 W. 12th St., Los Angeles, CA on 18 Jan 1934.

On 24 July 1934, F1c Gunn received orders to transfer to the Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut for duty. Records at the Bureau of Navigation (BUNAV) indicated that Gunn was qualified in Acetylene and Electric Welding. He reported for duty at S/B New London the following day. Several days later the Commanding Officer wrote to BUNAV stating that Gunn had only basic skills as a metal welder and was not a qualified as an Electric or Acetylene welder. Turns out that Gunn did not become an electrician, but a welder. On 12 Sep 1935, Gunn advanced in rate to Coppersmith, Second Class (Csmth 2c). The following year, Gunn changed rate to Metal Smith Second Class (Msmth 2nd Class). On 23 Jun 1936, Petty Officer Gunn transferred to the Receiving Ship in San Diego in preparation for his discharge from the US Navy. Gunn was honorably discharged on 27 July 1936. He was recommended for reenlistment. His pay was $79.20 per month. In a letter dated 30 Oct 1937, a Miss Doris McElhaney of 1321 E. 77th place, LA requested Gunn’s address as she had recently heard from him but he did not list his return address. BUNAV answered her letter; it stated that he was discharged on 27 July 36 and they had no record of his reenlistment or his address.

Gunn remained a civilian for more than 3 years until 02 Oct 1939 when he applied for enlistment at the Navy Recruiting Station (NRS) in Los Angeles, CA. He enlisted on 11 Oct 1939 at the Los Angeles, NRS for four years. He retained his former rank and rate, Metalsmith Second class (Msmth). On 25 Oct 1939, Gunn transferred to the destroyer tender, USS Rigel (AD-1) for temporary duty then further transfer via the transport ship, USS Henderson (AP-1) to Asiatic Station for duty as assigned. Henderson sailed into port at San Diego on 11 Nov1939. Petty Officer Gunn reported onboard her on 13 Nov1939 on his way to his next duty station in Manila, Philippines. Henderson departed San Diego bound for San Pedro, California on the 14th of Nov arriving later that day. She sailed on 16 Nov enroute to her next port at San Francisco Bay arriving on 18 Nov where she entered a two week maintenance period at Mare Island Shipyard. She was again underway on 4 Dec., bound for Honolulu (11-14 December), Guam (27-29 December), and arriving at Manila on 3 Jan 1940. Gunn disembarked from his ride later that day and reported for duty to the destroyer tender, USS Black Hawk (AD-9). Two weeks later on 22 Jan 1940, Petty Officer Gunn transferred from Black Hawk to the flagship of Destroyer Squadron 29, USS Paul Jones (DD-230). Later that year on 16 Nov 1940, Gunn advanced in rank to Metalsmith First Class (Msmth).

On 08 Jul 1941, Petty Officer Gunn was admitted to the US Naval Hospital (USNH) at Canacao, P.I., for treatment of a Duodenum, Ulcer. According to the Report of the Board of Medical Survey from USNH, Gunn was unfit for duty. The Survey recommended that he be retained in the hospital for further treatment. Gunn was released from the hospital about 09 Dec 1941. In late Nov 1941, his ship departed for Tarakan, Borneo. On 10 Dec 1941, a massive Japanese air attack on the US Naval facilities at Cavite caused significant damage to shore installations and to many of those ships still inport. The destroyer, USS Peary (DD-226) was hit by a bomb that killed and wounded members of her crew. Immediately, Peary’s CO put out a call for replacements for the sailors lost to duty. Since Gunn was without a ship, he was assigned to Peary on 14 Dec 1941.

On the day after Christmas 1941, Peary and her sister ship, USS Pillsbury (DD-227) were ordered to move south and join other ships of the Asiatic Fleet that had evacuated the Philippines prior to the start of hostilities.

Peary arrived in Darwin, Australia at 0840, 03 Jan 1942 after a 2100 mile plus hair-raising transit from Manila, Philippines to Darwin. Within a week of arriving, twenty-eight enlisted men and officers became ill with a virulent form of Malaria or Dengue Fever, contracted when the ship anchored off remote Maitara Island near Ternate in the Halmakeras. It was necessary to stop there to make repairs after being mistakenly identified as a Japanese ship by Australian aircraft who then attacked. Eventually eight men would die from the diseases.

Peary received tender availability services from USS Black Hawk (AD-9) to affect temporary repairs and make her seaworthy. Those repairs were completed on 22 Jan 1942. Peary assumed anti-submarine duties. She was an anti-submarine escort for USS Langley (AV-3) from Darwin to Fremantle, Australia between 08-13 Feb 1942 and she steamed with USS Houston escorting a Darwin-Koepang convoy from 14 to 18 Feb 1942. She was also searching for a submarine contact on 18 Feb which reduced her fuel supply such that she had to return to Port Darwin to refuel.

Peary returned to Port Darwin and anchored about 0100, 19 Feb 1942. About 1045, Port Darwin came under attack by a combined Japanese carrier and land base force of over 200 fighters and bombers. Peary was hit by five bombs. The fifth bomb, an incendiary, exploded in the after engine room opening the ship to the sea. She sank, stern first, with her anti-aircraft guns still firing until the last enemy plane left the area.

Eighty-eight officers and men including the commanding officer were killed in her sinking; 57 survived, 20 of whom were wounded. Petty Officer Gunn was believed to have gone down with his ship. On 02 April 1942, Mrs Bessie Wilson Gunn received a telegram from the Navy Department. It read in part; "The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your husband, Metalsmith First Class, Ralph E. Gunn, US Navy is missing following action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country." Gunn was earning $157.90 per month at the time he went missing in action. The Navy Department letter dated 20 Feb 1943 to Mrs Bessie Gunn declared that her husband was presumed dead on that date. That letter was followed up with a more detailed letter from the Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox, explaining under what circumstances her husband was presumed dead. He also offered her his sincere condolences.

Petty Officer Gunn was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Area Service medal with bronze star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Defense medal with Bronze Star, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit citation and US Army Presidential Unit Citation.

Petty Officer Gunn’s wife received a personal commemoration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reads:

In grateful memory of Raymond E. GUNN, who died in the service of his country at SEA, Asiatic Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. PEARY, 20 February 1943 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,

President of the United States

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Citation of Units of Both Military and Naval Forces of the United States and Philippine Governments.

--489--

As authorized by Executive Order No. 9075 (sec. II, Bull. 11, W.D., 1942), a citation in the name of the President of the United States, as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction, is awarded to all units of both military and naval forces of the United States and Philippine Governments engaged in the defense of the Philippines since December 7, 1941. (Later, it was called the Army Presidential Unit Citation). By order of the Secretary of War:

G. C. MARSHALL,

Chief of Staff.

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Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation

Establishing Authority

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation was established by Headquarters, Philippine National Defense Forces, General Order Number 532 of September 14, 1946, as amended.

Acceptance by the United States

For service during World War II, acceptance is sanctioned by Public Law 80-314, which authorized the acceptance and wear of foreign decoration, medals, and awards in connection with services in World War II between the inclusive dates of December 7, 1941 and July 24, 1948.

Effective Dates

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation has been in effect since September 14, 1946.

Criteria

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation is awarded for extraordinarily meritorious service. The Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded to United States military personnel who participated in the following:

• World War II

Service in the defense of the Philippines from December 7, 1941 to May 10, 1942.

Service in the liberation of the Philippines from October 17, 1944 to July 4, 1945.

All U.S. military units and naval vessels that earned any of the Philippine engagement stars are entitled to the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.

Certain submarines which maintained physical contact with guerrilla forces during the Japanese occupation of the Philippine Islands.

Online: https://rollofhonor.org/public/htmldetails.aspx?Cat=foreignaward&EntID=352

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Primary Sources:

1) Gunn, Ralph Eugene, Metalsmith First Class, US Navy Service Record (OMPF), The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR), St Louis, MO. April 2025. (210 pages)

2) Various, WWII 78th Anniversary Commemorative Series; Combat Narratives, The Java Sea Campaign, Naval History and Heritage Command, U.S. Navy, Washington Navy Yard, DC. Reprint 2017. Online.

3) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., In the Highest Degree Tragic, The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies During World War II, Potomac Books, 2017.

4) Cox, Jeffery R., Rising Sun, Falling Skies, Osprey Publishing, UK, 2015.

5) Deck logs USS Peary retrieved 15 November 2021.

6) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports

7) Wikipedia page, USS Peary (DD-226), Retrieved 12 November 2021.

8) Wilde, E. Andrew, Jr. (Ed). U.S.S. Peary (DD-226) in World War II, Manila to Darwin, 12/10/41-2/19/42: Needham, Mass. : The Editor, 2007. http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/wilde/226peary_wilde.pdf

9) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., A Blue Sea of Blood: deciphering the mysterious fate of the USS Edsall, Zenith Press, 2008.

10) Fold3 by Ancestry Navy Muster reports and Change reports

11) Various Newspaper articles from Montgomery, Alabama papers.

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Link to USS Peary memorial in Darwin, Australia with list of names of those lost in the sinking of the ship. It's a cenotaph. https://www.maritimequest.com/misc_pages/monuments_memorials/uss_peary_memorial.htm

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Bio#479 compiled on 24 April 2024 and edited on 16 May 2025 by Gerry Lawton (G47)

Military Hall of Honor ID# 139812

Find A Grave Memorial Page #56755682

Fold3, Ancestry.com