Ralph Talbot (1897 - bef. 1918)

Born 6 Jan 1897 in South Weymouth, Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States

Died before 25 Oct 1918 before age 21 in Calais, France

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Biography

Ralph Talbot was awarded the Medal of Honor.

2nd Lt Ralph Talbot was Killed in Action during World War I.

2d Lt. Ralph Talbot served in the United States Marine Corps in World War I
Service started: Apr 8, 1918
Unit(s): 1st Marine Aviation Force (Marines)
Service ended: Oct 6, 1918

Ralph Talbot was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy April 8, 1918. He was soon transferred to the Marine Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant, and by mid-July he was sent overseas with the 1st Marine Corps Aviation Force. After time in the British Pilots Pool, Lt. Talbot began dropping 'bully beef' to French soldiers cut off from their source of supply. It is said he laughed about 'his grocery business!' Later he joined the British in bombing raids over Ostend and Bruges, Belguim. In one of those raids he downed a German Boche plane; but on October 25, 1918, there was engine trouble when he had simply left for a motor test; his motor failed on takeoff. He crashed into a high embankment and his plane burst into flames instantly. Efforts to rescue Ralph failed.

His Medal of Honor gives the reason as being for exceptionally meritorious service and extraordinary heroism in France where he participated in air raids in enemy territory. On one, October 8, 1918, he was attacked by nine enemy scouts, but in the fight he shot down an enemy plane. Then on October 14, Second Lieutenant Talbot and another plane became detached from the formation on account of motor trouble. They were attacked by 12 enemy scouts. In that severe fight he shot down one of the enemy scouts. His observer was shot through the elbow and his gun jammed; however Talbot maneuvered to gain time for his observer to clear the jam with one hand, then returned to the fight. The observer was shot several times, causing him to collapse. Second Lieutenant Talbot attacked the nearest enemy scout and shot him down. With his observer unconscious and a failing motor, he dived to escape the remaining planes. He crossed the German trenches at an altitude of 50 feet, landing at the nearest hospital to leave his observer before returning to his aerodrome!

Lt. Talbot was first buried at Les Barracques Military Cemetery in Sangatte near Calais, France. However, his final resting place is in Mount Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy, Massachusetts.

Sources

• https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/2613
• Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 1 Dec 2022.
• US Congressional Medal of Honor Society https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/ralph-talbot, retried 1 Dec 2022

https://marines.togetherweserved.com/usmc/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=153691

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Wollaston_Cemetery