Ralph Scott Williams Jr. Navy Picture

My maternal grandfather, Ralph Scott Williams Jr., served with the United States Navy during World War II.  I have posted the pictures I have from his naval service on Flickr.

Someday, I hope to track down some information on the other named men in the photos.  Although not likely, it would be interesting to track down someone that served with my grandfather during the war. In the near future, I will post all of the details of his military service, including images of his naval documents, headstone, etc.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr.

Paul and Bette Hang Wedding Picture

Many thanks to Paul Hang for mailing the above picture.  Charles Richard “Dick” Waits is on the far left, and his wife, Margaret Anne “Peggy” Phillips is the maid-of-honor, standing next to the bride.  This is the wedding of Paul Joseph Hang and Lucille Elizabeth “Bette” Phillips, Peggy’s sister.

Here is an excerpt from an email Paul sent last week, regarding his father’s service in World War II:

I don’t remember him [Dick Waits] other than hearing about him. He and my Dad [Paul Joseph Hang] were in the Army together, although Dick was in for quite a while. My Dad was only in for a year and a half. He was drafted at 33 with two kids and a business. He was shot, received the Purple Heart, returned to the front, fought in the Hurtgen Forest. He was pulled out with frozen feet (trench foot) in mid November of 44 just before his Division (the 28th Pennsylvania, also known as the Bucket of Blood) was overrun in the Battle of the Bulge. In one of his letters he says he thinks he leads a charmed life given all that he survived. Like a lot of his generation he never talked about his war experiences. He spent many months in the hospital before being discharged in mid 45.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits/ sister of Charles Richard Waits)

Dick Waits Letter 2

Well I got your letter today both Vmail came right together, you said you received one of my letters I wrote three I hope you get the other two. I hope you never have to go back, I have spent a lot of time in the hospital an that is a good place to be. That inf. is rough I know only to well. I just hope my luck can hold out till this dam thing is over with. With Gods help an Russia this thing will be over before long. As for the lugers an P38s I have had a few but sold most of them to the Navy. I have a real little one that I am going to keep because it was made in Berlin. But if I can get my ass home I’ll be happy.

Take care of yourself an stay put. Well I don’t have a M1 but I am Gunner on the tank so I have a pretty good gun. It has made a lot of germans good ones.

Your Friend

Dick

Many thanks to Paul Hang for sending these letters.  They are truly an invaluable piece of our family history.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits/ sister of Charles Richard Waits)

Dick Waits Letter

Dear Paul, Betty, Sue, an P.J.

Well I got your package today an it was swell, we really ate that cake up an we are on the candy now. I also got one from your mother too so we can eat most of the night we don’t do much at night so we can eat all the time.

Well does Paul know when he is going to the army I hope he never has to go an if you do Paul try to stay on that side. I’ll tell you the truth the boys over here really hated to hear that they were taking men with children an that is something, because the boys over here don’t have pity on very many people.

Well try to have a nice Christmas an show the kids a nice Christmas I sure would like to see them xmas day I suppose you are going to have a tree an all that. That is when Christmas is nice when there are kids.

Yours as always

Dick

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits/ sister of Charles Richard Waits)

Charles Richard Waits and Margaret Anne Phillips Portrait

My research this morning has centered around my great grand uncle, Charles Richard “Dick” Waits.  Dick was born in 1919 in Lancaster, Ohio. He attended Lancaster High School and married Margaret Anne “Peggy” Phillips on 6/16/1941. Dick enlisted with the United States Army on 12/9/1941. He was KIA on 4/6/1945 in Mockmuhl, Germany as a corporal in Company C of the 753rd Tank Battalion. He is buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery in St. Avold, France. Dick was 25 years-old when he was killed. The picture above is of Dick and Peggy Waits. I believe his sleeve patch signifies United States Army ground forces. If you look closely, you can see the tank pin on his hat.

Peggy remarried a few years after his death. I have recently contacted her nephew, Paul, niece, Sue, and daughter, Lisa. After I compile all of their contributions, I will post them here. 

This morning, I have sent requests to the American Battle Monuments Commission for a floral arrangement to be placed at his grave marker. They also provide a photo of the marker after placement, along with a lithograph of the cemetery. I will post the picture after I receive it (probably in several weeks.) Chris Bradford, who runs a website dedicated to the 735rd Tank Battalion (Dick’s picture is in the KIA Gallery Two), has requested Dick’s Deceased Persons File on my behalf. The file should include how he died, where he was buried, reburial details, communication with his kin, etc. I hope to receive this in the near future as well.

Thank you to everyone who has helped with my research on this fallen hero.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits/ sister of Charles Richard Waits)

Welcome to my new blog, dedicated to my family tree research.  I’ll do my best to keep everyone updated on my progress (as well as trying to keep things straight in my head!)  I hope you check back often.  Please send any suggestions to my email address, davis-brian@att.net.