The ship pictured above is named for Lawson P. "Red" Ramage. He was a vice admiral in the United States Navy, submarine commander during World War II. He also served during the Korean and Vietnam wars. Red Ramage graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1931. He had injured his right eye wrestling and was unable to pass the physical exam required for assignment to submarine duty. He was assigned to surface ships from 1931 to 1935. He was able to memorize the eye chart and pass the eye test. When examined again later he would simple move the cover and read the eye chart twice with his left eye. In January 1936 he was assigned to submarine duty. In 1942 he was stationed at Pearl Harbor assigned to the staff of the Commander, Submarines, Pacific during the surprise attack by the Japanese. I'm not going to replay his entire career during World War II. I want to concentrate on the events of July 30 and 31, 1944.
Red Ramage was in command of the Balao-class submarine the USS Parche (SS-384) and was part of a wolfpack. They came into contact with a Japanese convoy. Red Ramage cleared the bridge of all personnel except himself and steamed into the enemy convoy on the surface. Japanese ships fired deck guns at his submarine and attempted to ram it. Ramage dodged and twisted returning torpedo fire for gun fire. The Parche managed to sink two enemy ships and badly damage three others. His actions that night resulting in him receiving the Medal of Honor on January 10, 1945 from President Roosevelt. The Medal of Honor citation reads as follows.
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Parche in a predawn attack on a Japanese convoy, 31 July 1944. Boldly penetrating the screen of a heavily escorted convoy, Comdr. Ramage launched a perilous surface attack by delivering a crippling stern shot into a freighter and quickly following up with a series of bow and stern torpedoes to sink the leading tanker and damage a second one. Exposed by the light of bursting flares and bravely defiant of terrific shellfire passing close overhead, he struck again, sinking a transport by two forward reloads. In the mounting fury of fire from the damaged and sinking tanker he calmly ordered his men below, remaining of the bridge to fight it out with an enemy now disorganized and confused. Swift to act as a fast transport closed in to ram, Comdr. Ramage daringly swung the stern of the speeding Parche as she crossed the bow of the onrushing ship, clearing by less than 50 feet but placing his submarine in a deadly crossfire from escorts on all sides and with the transport dead ahead. Undaunted, he sent 3 smashing "down the throat" bow shots to stop the target, then scored a killing hit as a climax to 46 minutes of violent action with the Parche and her valiant fighting company retiring victorious and unscathed."
This is true bravery and leadership. You might think that Red Ramage had done his best. I think what he did following the Medal of Honor ceremony speaks more about true leadership than what happened in the Pacific. Commander Ramage created a certificate for each sailor under his command. It states the following.
"The Captain wishes to emphasize the fact that the Medal of Honor was accepted from the President of the United States as the Nation's tribute to a fighting ship and her courageous crew. He feels that every officer and man whose loyal cooperation and able assistance contributed to the success of the "Parche" has an equal share in this award which he holds in trust for you. With great pride and respect.
Sincerely , L.P.Ramage"
The statement to his crew is the true meaning of leadership. Yes, I got recognition but I understand and recognize that without the efforts of this entire crew it would not have been possible. It would seem to me that following that statement of appreciation the men under his command would follow him to the very gates of hell.
I close with a simple question. Look at our Congress and President elect. Where are those leaders today?
There surely won't be too many ships named after our present leadership. Oh, I forgot: as long as there are lobbyists, anything is possible.
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