Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1948 Lucky Bag:

RALPH WELLS BROWN, JR.

Brownie is the only man in the Academy who never complains about the Maryland weather . . . according to him, if it rains … it is a good day for the ducks. If the sun shines . . . which it occasionally does . . . calls Maryland the poor man’s California. Coming from the Academy’s own back yard . . . Hyattsville, Maryland, he has had no cause to complain of being homesick. With many interests close at hand . . . usually makes himself scarce on free afternoons. As a by-product of local finishing school . . . Bullis Prep . . . Randle’s School … he has had a good background for working crossword puzzles and raising tropical fish. One of the quaint habits he has acquired during the past four years here is dragging. . . not once. . . not twice. . . but three times each week … in short . . . each time the opportunity presents itself. Ralph, having sailed the Chesapeake by seaman’s eye for several years, became a dependable member of the Varsity Sailing Team. However, his first and only love is automobiles. When at home he usually may be found engrossed deeply in the inner workings and hidden mechanisms of his latest souped-up engine. Being a good mixer in any crowd, Brownie has made many friends … is at home on land or sea . . . always carrying with him the best wishes of these friends.

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Ralph was a member of the Boat Club. He graduated with the class of 1948-B in June 1948. (The top half of the class academically, designated 1948-A, graduated in June 1947 as the last wartime-accelerated class.)

Loss

Ralph was lost on March 4, 1952 “in a flight accident over the Caribbean.” (Information from September 1954 issue of Shipmate.)

Other Information

It’s possible that he was operating from USS Salerno Bay (CVE 110). “On 7 January 1952, she again sailed south for operations in the Caribbean. Back at Norfolk in early February, she operated off Puerto Rico in March and off the Virginia and Carolina coasts from April to July. One plane crash in early March was near Cuba.”

He “participated in the Bermuda race after graduation” and then reported to USS Mindoro. Later, he “attended flight school at Pensacola.” (Information from September 1954 issue of Shipmate.)

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Ralph was born in the District of Columbia. He attended Mt. Rainier High School, Randles Preparatory School of Washington, and the Bullis School of Silver Spring. He was appointed to the Naval Academy by Representative Sasscer from the Fifth Congressional District of Maryland.

Ralph received his wings on March 31, 1950, in Pensacola.

In 1930 Chillum, Maryland, his father Ralph was a steam fitter, mother Cordelia, brother Joseph, and sister Shirley. Joseph became a sergeant, and Shirley became Mrs.Tetteau.

He has a memory marker in Washington, D.C.

Photographs

1948-B Boat Club Leadership from the Lucky Bag

1948-B 24th Company from the Lucky Bag

Related Articles

Hubert Loheed ‘48 and Ian Fraser ‘48 were also all members of the Boat Club. Hubert was Commodore and Ian was Vice-Commodore.