Ralph C. Pinkerton

Fallen Hero’s Hometown and State: Newcastle, TX

Branch of Service: United States Army

Rank: PFC

My father was drafted in 1944 when the government started taking married men with children. He was shipped to Leyte, P I and assigned as replacement in 108th Infantry Regiment in March 1945. After action in Leyte the unit was sent to Mindanao.

He was the leader of a machine gun squad. He and the assistant gunner were killed near Cabanglasan as they were protecting the flank on the right of the company and the withdrawal of forward elements. In exchanging rounds with an entrenched enemy machine gun, Private First Class Pinkerton was wounded and later killed.

Although wounded he continued to stay by his machine gun and it was estimated that his gun killed two Japanese and greatly assisted in silencing the enemy position. A father and husband with two small children, Jerry almost five at the time Judy age 2. He answered the call to duty and faithfully executed it.

Age: 26

Date of Death: June 14, 1945