Ralph Burton Praeger
Major, U.S. Army

Ralph Burton Praeger graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, in June 1938. After a short tour of duty with the Army Air Corps at Randolph Field, TX, 2LT Prager was assigned to the 26th Cavalry (Philippine Scouts) at Fort Stotsenburg, Philippine Islands, in July 1939.

In December 1941, then-Captain Ralph Burton Praeger was serving as Commanding Officer of Troop C, 26th Cavalry Regiment, Philippine Scouts, U.S. Army.

On 22 December 1941, CPT Praeger’s unit was in action against Japanese forces when the enemy broke through the main defenses at Lingayen, Luzon. CPT Praeger promptly commenced guerrilla operations against the Japanese. On the night of 12-13 January 1942, CPT Praeger struck his first blow against an important Japanese airfield at Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Luzon. CPT Praeger, leading less than 100 men against 2,000 Japanese, took the enemy completely by surprise and seized the airfield. During the assault, CPT Praeger’s Troop C killed about 200 Japanese soldiers. CPT Praeger’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

From 9 April 1942 through 6 August 1943, now-Major Praeger was in action against the Japanese while serving with the Philippine Guerilla Forces, North Luzon Military District, at Cagayan Valley, Philippine Islands. During 1942, MAJ Praeger engaged the enemy and maintained free governments in Cagayan and Apayao until 1943. In October 1942, MAJ Praeger established radio contact with the War Department and provided the only means of communication between Luzon and the United States until his capture by the Japanese. During that period, MAJ Praeger's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty earned him a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross.

On 30 August 1943, MAJ Praeger was captured and imprisoned as a criminal by the Japanese. After almost a year of captivity and starvation, MAJ Praege was court-martialed in August 1944 and sentenced to death. It is believed that he was executed by the Japanese in Manila on 3 December 1944.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Legion of Merit
Purple Heart
Prisoner of War Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
World War II Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (1st of 2 Awards)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Cavalry) Ralph Burton Praeger (ASN: 0-21185), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of Company C, 26th Cavalry Regiment, Philippine Scouts, in action against enemy forces on 12 and 13 January 1942, during a daring night attack against the enemy at Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 13 January 1942. When the enemy broke through the main defenses at Lingayen on 22 December 1941, Captain Praeger promptly commenced guerrilla operations against the Japanese. He struck his first blow against an important Japanese airfield at Tuguegarao, Cagayan on the night of 12 - 13 January 1942. Leading less than 100 men against 2,000, he took the enemy completely by surprise, seized the airfield and killed about 200 Japanese soldiers. Captain Praeger's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Headquarters, U.S. Forces-Pacific, General Orders No. 213 (1946)

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (2nd of 2 Awards)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Major (Cavalry) Ralph Burton Praeger (ASN: 0-21185), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the Philippine Guerilla Forces, North Luzon Military District, in action against enemy forces from 9 April 1942 through 6 August 1943, in the Cagayan Valley, Philippine Islands. Major Praeger's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 47 (1943)

Memorialization

The remains of Major Ralph Burton Praeger have never been recovered. He is memorialized by having his name inscribed on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56762862/ralph-burton-praeger