1st Lt. Ralph P. Ford was held as a POW in the Philippine Islands. In December 1944, he was boarded onto the Oryoku Maru for transport to Japan. The ship came under attack from American planes on December 14th. As evening approached, the attack was called off. The next day the planes returned and continued the attack. The ship was sunk by American planes at Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, on December 15, 1944. The surviving POWs were boarded onto the Enoura Maru which sailed on December 27th and reached Takao, Formosa, by the New Year. While docked it was bombed by American planes on January 9, 1945, killing many of the POWs. Ford was killed during the attack on the ship.

Cenotaph here

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U.S. Army Service No. (ASN): #O-341515
Entered the Service from: North Carolina
91st Coast Artillery Regiment (Philippine Scouts)
Awards: Purple Heart

Ralph P. Ford is listed as Killed In Action in the 1946 Army and Army Air Forces Personnel Casualty List for Guilford County, North Carolina.

Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, U.S., Birth Index, 1865-2012 lists birth date of 30 Dec 1913 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina to Father: W. A. Ford and Mother: Rhyne.

U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016 lists him as a student in the 1932 Central High School, Charlotte, North Carolina "Snips and Cuts" Yearbook. Also listed as a 1936 graduate of the Citadel.

U.S., World War II American and Allied Prisoners of War, 1941-1946 lists report date of 7 May 1942. Camp: PW Camp #1 - Cabanatuan 1-2-3 Nueva Province Luzon Philippines 15-121. Status: Executed, Died in Ship's Sinking or Result of Ship Sinking, Shot While Attempting Escape (Enoura Maru)

***I would like to thank JimO Find A Grave ID 46874118 for adding his photo to this memorial***

***I would like to thank Stokes Find A Grave ID 49424831 for adding their photo to this memorial***