Veterans' Memorial Project
Ralph Wille Janssen
Chicago Heights, IL
World War II
Lt. Janssen enlisted in the Naval Reserve on October 12, 1940. He was later appointed Midshipman, undergoing training on board Arkansas and at the Naval Reserve Midshipman’s School. Upon commissioning, Janssen reported to Destroyer USS Porter on August 1, 1941, and served on her during the critical first months of the Pacific war. Promoted to Lieutenant (j.g.) on June 15, 1942, he was killed on October 26, 1942, when Porter was torpedoed by an enemy submarine during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. (Further investigation into the Porter’s attack determined that the damage was probably due to friendly fire and not Japanese action.) Lt. Janssen is listed as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
The Edsall-class Destroyer Escort USS Janssen (DE-396), named after Ralph Wille Janssen, was laid down by Brown Shipbuilding Co., Houston, Texas, on August 4, 1943. It was launched on October 10, 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Alfred Janssen, stepmother of Lt. Janssen; and commissioned on December 18, 1943, Lt. Comdr. H. E. Cross in command.
The Destroyer Janssen started her war-time service on January 11, 1944, taking part in offensive operations and training antisubmarine teams. Designated for deactivation, Janssen was decommissioned on April 12, 1946, at Green Cove Springs, Florida. Janssen then joined the Atlantic Reserve Fleet and, at present, is berthed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Destroyer USS Janssen received one battle star for World War II service and shared in the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to the various ships of the Bogue task groups for outstanding antisubmarine work in the Atlantic during 1943-1944.
More information is available on the Web sites listed above as well as the book “Carrier Strike, The Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, October, 1942” by Eric Hammel.
-submitted by Eric and Ginger (Janssen) Johnson of Vermont
Submit additional information or comments
