Radio Man 3rd Class, U.S.N.R.

Service No. #8522169

Induction Date: 05/19/1943; Enlistment Date: 05/26/1943

U.S.S. BOWERS (DE-637)

World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, 1941-1945, lists his Next of Kin's Home of Record as Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Ralph N(M.). Bagley, Sr., 100 North Red Road, South Miami, Florida.

Ohio, U.S., Birth Index, 1908-1998 lists his birth date as 25 Mar 1925 in Hamilton County, Ohio.

U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1970 lists form signed for by Ralph M. Bagley, Sr., 100 N. Red Road, South Miami, Florida on 02/08/1949.

***I would like to thank T A T Find A Grave ID 48456482 for adding her photo to this memorial***

***I would like to thank W Anderson Find a Grave ID 48766072 for adding their photo to this memorial in addition to updating Ralph's middle name information as well as linking his parents to it***

***I would like to thank Walking The Rows Find A Grave ID 48178838 for adding their gravesite photos to this memorial in addition to updating the plot information on it***

***I would like to thank Donald Thompson Find A Grave ID 46594704 for adding his photo as well as the information below to this memorial***

************************************************************

Suggested Edit: Eric,

My appreciation if you could add information from the Miami Herald to the Find a Grave memorial for WWII sailor Ralph M. Bagley, Jr., Id 145830197.

Thanks,

Donald Thompson

February 3, 1949 edition of the Miami Herald

…[Ralph] was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but lived most of his life in Greater Miami…He attended Ponce de Leon high school, and joined the Navy in May, 1943, at Chicago where he had received training in radar.

He was assigned to the U.S.S. Bowers, a destroyer escort, and participated in the rescue of 17 survivors from two planes crashed in enemy waters in May, 1944. He participated in convoy and escort actions in Finschaffen, Hollandia, Altope Rodes and took part in the battles of Leyte and Okinawa.

Bagley was killed during the invasion of Okinawa when the Bowers was attacked by three Japanese planes. Two were shot down, but the third made a suicide dive onto the bridge where Bagley was at the ship's radio. He and 47 shipmates were killed while manning their stations.

Bagley's body, recently returned to this country from Okinawa, will be met at the train here by boyhood friends. Contributor: Donald Thompson - [email protected]