Ralph Ensign Wilson
Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy

Ralph Ensign Wilson was born on 29 June 1902 in Boulder, CO.

Wilson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1924. Prior to World War II, Wilson was the Commanding Officer of the Destroyer USS Upshur (DD-144).

During World War II, he was the Commanding Officer of the Destroyer USS Buchanan (DD-484) which was badly damaged during the engagement with Japanese naval forces off Savo Island during the Battle of Cape Esperance in October of 1942.

In the mid-1950s, Wilson was appointed the Commander of Cruiser Division Three. He was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for exceptional meritorious and distinguished service as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations and Logistics from 1957 to 1960. He was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism at the Battle of Cape Esperance.

Death and Burial

Vice Admiral Ralph Ensign Wilson died on 21 December 1990 in Annapolis, MD. He is buried at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis.