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S/sgt.Raymond P.Ruhling
B.Btry.Headquarters Battalion
321st Glider Field Artillery
101st Airborne Div.
KIA: 10 January 1945 Belgium
From:Ohio
This is a grouping to S/sgt Ruhling to include his Elks medal.RIP S/sgt.Ruhling as you have made your Country Proud.
> From the
Painesville Telegraph
Painesville, Ohio
(Lake County)
Tuesday, January 3, 1945
Sgt. R. P. Ruhling, Veteran
Of Historic Battles, Killed
Took Part In D-Day Push
And Yanks' Memorable
Stand At Bastogne
After surviving many historic military events - including the D-day invasion, being encircled in the invasion of Holland, and being part of the forces of Gen. McAuliffe which made the brilliant stand at Bastogne - Staff Sgt. Raymond Perry Ruhling, 30, has met death on the battlefields of Belgium.
Word of his fate was received Sunday night by the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Perry J. Ruhling of Mentor Ave., in a War department telegram, which listed the day of death as Jan. 10.
The news came as more of a shock in the family because just last week a letter dated Jan. 4 had been received from the 30-year-old staff sergeant. As one member of the family said today, "He had been through so much and we had been worried. His last letter, written after the Bastogne incident, reassured us of his safety and for the first time we breathed just a little easier. It seems odd that he should get it now after he had come through so much."
His parents, who eagerly follow the news and the broadcasts - particularly the activities of the 101st Airborne division in which he served - believe that he must have been killed near St. Vith, although the official telegram did not list a specific area.
Entering the Army March, 1942, he trained at Camp Claiborne, La., and was assigned the the 82nd division, with the heavy artillery. He stayed there until September, 1942, when he was transferred to the 101st and was sent to Fort Bragg, N. C. There he underwent basic training in gliders.
After only five weeks in the Army, he was promoted to corporal and retained that rank until he was jumpoed to staff sergeant.
Going overseas in September, 1943, he first was stationed in England and was there until participating in action on D-day. After about six weeks of combat, he was returned to England for a rest. On last Sept. 17 he took part in the invasion of Holland and was among a force which was surrounded for two days and unable to communicate with American forces.
In December he was sent to France for a rest. However, two days later word came that the Yanks were falling back before the determined onrush of Nazi forces. The 101st was rushed by truck to the front lines to help stem the tide. It is said of the division that it is the one most dreaded by the Germans.
Sgt. Ruhling, who was a surveyor with the field artillery and was in charge of maps, was part of the forces of Gen. McAuliffe, who won renown by his terse "Nuts!" to the Germans' demand for surrender of the encircled forces at Bastogne.
Mr. and Mrs. Ruhling, who have followed news of the battles closely, recall that the Yanks were reported to be driving the Nazis back about the time of their son's reported death.
Sgt. Ruhling was born April 16, 1914, in this city. His family later moved to Ashtabula and he attended grade schools there. After about nine years, they returned to Painesville and Sgt. Ruhling attended Harvey High school, from which he was graduated in June, 1932.
He was particurlarly fond of playing the drums and was well known in Lake county through his appearance several times weekly with various orchestras. Having a great enthusiasm for music, he "picked up" the playing of the saxophone. For his own amusement, he and several schoolmates formed a "jug band," which was sought by many clubs for appearances on their programs.
After graduating from high school, he operated a Sinclair gas station on Liberty St., but later went into partnership with his father in the produce business. For a short time before entering military service, he was a letter carrier.
Surviving, in addition to his parents, are a sister, Mrs. Charles A. Eldridge, of Route 84, his niece, Carol Eldridge, and nephew, Charles Eldridge, III.
Thursday, Febraury 1, 1945
(Extracted)
War Casualties in Europe, On Leyte
Staff Sgt. Raymond Perry Ruhling, 30, was killed Jan. 10 in Belgium. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Perry J. Ruhling of Mentor Ave., he had survived many historic events, including the D-day invasion, being encircled in the invasion of Holland, and being part of Gen. McAuliffe's forces at Bastogne. He and Lieut. Higgins had been classmates at Harvey High school, both graduating in June, 1932.
Saturday, December 18, 1948
Hold Rites For
Sgt. R. P. Ruhling
Graveside services were conducted in quiet simplicity on Friday for a Painesville man who participated in many historic battles before his death in the battle arena of Belgium during the recent world conflict.
The body of Staff Sgt. Raymond Perry Ruhling, son of Mr. and Mrs. Perry J. Ruhling of Riverside Dr., had just been returned from overseas. Dr. Hugh Fouke, pastor of the Methodist Church, officiated at the private services. Burial was in the family lot in Evergreen Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Edward Cunningham, John Basco, Charles Warner, N. C. Babcock, Russell Babcock and Donald Eichorn.
Surviving Sgt. Ruhling besides his parents are a sister, Mrs. Charles A. Eldridge, a niece and nephew
321st Glider/101st ABN PH/Elks Medal
amazing
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