Ralph Blevins

Ralph Blevins (1922 – Oct. 7, 1944) was a U.S. Army soldier from Winfield who was killed in action in World War II.

See Also: Scott Countians killed in war

Biography

Born in Winfield in 1922, Ralph Blevins was the son of Rev. John “Wheeler” Blevins (1900-1979) and Ruby Lee Crabtree (1902-1996). He had a brother named Howard Vincent Blevins (1919-2020) who also served in World War II.

World War II

SSgt. Blevins enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Division. He fought in the European theater of the war and was killed in action on Oct. 7, 1944.

The 17th Battalion’s motto during WW2 was “We pave the way,” a reference to their responsibilities of construction and demolition under combat conditions, and of laying and clearing land mines. On June 9, 1944, the 2nd Battalion landed at Utah Beach in Normandy. The battalion later built a bridge over the Albert Canal near the village of Kanne in the aftermath of the Battle of Fort Eben-Emael, built a bridge over Geleenbeek stream near Kathagermolen, and saw action in Alsace, France.

Aftermath

SSgt. Blevins was buried at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium. He received the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart awards. He is listed on the VFW Post 5669 Memorial Wall in Oneida, the Scott County Veterans Memorial in Huntsville, and the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial in Knoxville.

Howard Blevins returned home from the war and lived much of his life in Ohio. He died in 2020 at age 100.