Ralph Lloyd Rimmer Sr.

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Ralph Lloyd Rimmer Sr.

Birth
Willow, Greer County, Oklahoma, USA
Death
14 Dec 1982 (aged 61)
Irvington, Mobile County, Alabama, USA
Burial
Grand Bay, Mobile County, Alabama, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
Death changes everything!
Time changes nothing...
I still miss the sound of your voice,
the wisdom in your advice,
the stories of your life
and just being in your presence.
So No, time changes nothing,
I miss you as much today
as I did the day you died.

I just miss you!!


♥ღ•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•❤❤•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•ღ♥

Ralph L Rimmer Sr was the grand son of John Albert & Martha Ann (Robinson) Hazelton. He was the son of Warren W & Pearly May (Hazelton) Rimmer.

He married Doris Collins on 31 Jul 1952 in Pascagoula, Jackson, Mississippi. They had 2 children: Rhonda Lynne "Sissy" and Ralph L "Buddy" Rimmer II.

He served with distinction in WWII. He was a 1st Class Gunners Mate, US Navy, aboard the USS Tennessee. The morning Pearl Harbor was hit there were seven battleships moored along "Battleship Row", the six pairs of quays located along Ford Island's eastern side. Quay F-2, the southernmost was empty. The northeastward, Battle Force flagship California was next, moored at F-3. Then came two pairs, moored side by side: the Maryland with the Oklahoma outboard, and the Tennessee with the West Virginia outboard. Torpedo planes were attacking and doing so much damage to the ships. Then horizontal bombers with heavy armor-piercing bombs arrived just as the last torpedo planes finished their attacks and other horizontal and dive bombers came in. These planes scored many hits and damaging near-misses on the ships moored there. Two on the California, Maryland and the Tennessee. A few on the West Virginia, which was sunk. The USS Tennessee, the inboard ship of the pair, was hit by two bombs, which disabled her second and third 14" gun turrets. She was set afire in several places when the Arizona, moored just astern of her, exploded. The Tennessee's hull plates were also damaged by oil fires. The Tennessee was wedged in tightly between the sunken West Virginia and her mooring quay and had to be blasted free. She was given initial repairs at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard and sent to the west coast for further work later in Dec. From Feb. - Aug. 1942, she operated off the US west coast, then briefly went to Pearl Harbor before returning to Puget Sound for extensive modernization. With her appearance completely changed and weapons, combat systems and protection considerably enhanced, she emerged from the shipyard in May 1943. Almost immediately they were sent to the Aleutians, where her 14-inch guns bombarded Kiska when that island was invaded in Aug. From Nov. 1943 into Sep. 1944, they participated in the bombardments of Tarawa, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, New Ireland, Saipan (where she was damaged by Japanese counter-fire), Guam, Tinian, Anguar and Pelieu. In Oct., Tennessee's guns pounded the Leyte invasion area as US forces returned to the Philippines, and, on the night of 24-25 Oct., she helped sink the Japanese battleship Yamashiro in the Battle of Surigao Strait. They were at Iwo Jima in Feb. & Mar. 1945, bombarding the fiercely defended island. In late Mar. they bombed Okinawa. She was hit by a suicide plane on 12 Apr., but remained in action until 1 May. After repairs she returned to action in Okinawa until Jun. In Jul. & Aug. she operated in waters off China.

☆•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•☆☆☆•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•☆

The Tennessee's battery, counter battery, and fire support played a major role in the success of the invasion of Okinawa as reflected by the messages passed through the chain of command from COs on the ground to Tennessee. On 18 April, Rear Admiral Reifsnider, commanding Task Group 51.12, told Captain Heffernan:

"Today our troops took the high ground prepared by the Tennessee yesterday. Seven enemy were killed on the slope and 30 on the top in huge craters caused by the Tennessee... counted 120 enemy dead and numerous demolished antiaircraft weapons and installations. C.O. Headquarters, 6th Marine Division, himself saw the Tennessees fire yesterday and wishes to express his appreciation for the Tennessee's cooperation and delivery of outstanding support. The main and secondary batteries of the Tennessee broke and drove the enemy back. Her naval gunfire on the almost impossible did the job. Congradulations to all the men of the Tennessee."
Lawrence F. Reifsnider[16]

On 26 April, Rear Admiral Hall, TG 51.22 CO, informed Admiral Deyo of a message from the 27th Infantry Division, which read:

"Performance of all firing ships... excellent. We would like to see them have their just compensation and reward, especially the Tennessee."
U.S. 27th Infantry Division[16]

☆•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•☆☆☆•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•☆

Five of her crew were killed in the attack at Pearl Harbor. My father was blown free of the gun turret in the attack, and asbestos rained down on him. I never knew him that he didn't have a cough. This is what eventually killed him. He died of the asbestos cancer, Mesothelioma.

This memorial is made with love and in dedication to his memory. He was gone much, much too soon. I miss the loving father I had, and I am so very, very proud of the man he was.

Bio written by Rhonda ~❤~ I love you daddy
♥ღ•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•❤❤•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•ღ♥

A Place To Rest
by Alison

God looked down on your body,
So tired from hanging on,
From a life that was overwhelming you,
And wanted back His son.
So he took away the air you breathe,
And gave you what was best,
A place to be at peace,
A final place to rest.

♥ღ•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•❤❤•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•ღ♥

Thank you to Sue SSBJ for sponsoring my father's memorial! It means so much and God bless you! Please visit her sweet daughter Rhysa it would mean the world to her.

♥ღ•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•❤❤•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•ღ♥

I want to thank everyone who's left a token and kind words on my grandpapa's memorial. It means so much and is appreciated more than you can ever know! Love and God's Blessing to you all! ~ Solie

♥ღ•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•❤❤•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•ღ♥

A special thank you to Sweet Memories ~ Sue for the precious token you made for my grandpapa. Such a sweet thing to do and mother will be so touched as am I.

Blessings to you ~ Solie

♥ღ•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•❤❤•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•ღ♥

Grandparents:
John Albert Hazelton (1871 - 1932)
Martha Ann Robinson Hazelton (1868 - 1900)

♥ღ•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•❤❤•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•ღ♥
Death changes everything!
Time changes nothing...
I still miss the sound of your voice,
the wisdom in your advice,
the stories of your life
and just being in your presence.
So No, time changes nothing,
I miss you as much today
as I did the day you died.

I just miss you!!


♥ღ•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•❤❤•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•ღ♥

Ralph L Rimmer Sr was the grand son of John Albert & Martha Ann (Robinson) Hazelton. He was the son of Warren W & Pearly May (Hazelton) Rimmer.

He married Doris Collins on 31 Jul 1952 in Pascagoula, Jackson, Mississippi. They had 2 children: Rhonda Lynne "Sissy" and Ralph L "Buddy" Rimmer II.

He served with distinction in WWII. He was a 1st Class Gunners Mate, US Navy, aboard the USS Tennessee. The morning Pearl Harbor was hit there were seven battleships moored along "Battleship Row", the six pairs of quays located along Ford Island's eastern side. Quay F-2, the southernmost was empty. The northeastward, Battle Force flagship California was next, moored at F-3. Then came two pairs, moored side by side: the Maryland with the Oklahoma outboard, and the Tennessee with the West Virginia outboard. Torpedo planes were attacking and doing so much damage to the ships. Then horizontal bombers with heavy armor-piercing bombs arrived just as the last torpedo planes finished their attacks and other horizontal and dive bombers came in. These planes scored many hits and damaging near-misses on the ships moored there. Two on the California, Maryland and the Tennessee. A few on the West Virginia, which was sunk. The USS Tennessee, the inboard ship of the pair, was hit by two bombs, which disabled her second and third 14" gun turrets. She was set afire in several places when the Arizona, moored just astern of her, exploded. The Tennessee's hull plates were also damaged by oil fires. The Tennessee was wedged in tightly between the sunken West Virginia and her mooring quay and had to be blasted free. She was given initial repairs at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard and sent to the west coast for further work later in Dec. From Feb. - Aug. 1942, she operated off the US west coast, then briefly went to Pearl Harbor before returning to Puget Sound for extensive modernization. With her appearance completely changed and weapons, combat systems and protection considerably enhanced, she emerged from the shipyard in May 1943. Almost immediately they were sent to the Aleutians, where her 14-inch guns bombarded Kiska when that island was invaded in Aug. From Nov. 1943 into Sep. 1944, they participated in the bombardments of Tarawa, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, New Ireland, Saipan (where she was damaged by Japanese counter-fire), Guam, Tinian, Anguar and Pelieu. In Oct., Tennessee's guns pounded the Leyte invasion area as US forces returned to the Philippines, and, on the night of 24-25 Oct., she helped sink the Japanese battleship Yamashiro in the Battle of Surigao Strait. They were at Iwo Jima in Feb. & Mar. 1945, bombarding the fiercely defended island. In late Mar. they bombed Okinawa. She was hit by a suicide plane on 12 Apr., but remained in action until 1 May. After repairs she returned to action in Okinawa until Jun. In Jul. & Aug. she operated in waters off China.

☆•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•☆☆☆•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•☆

The Tennessee's battery, counter battery, and fire support played a major role in the success of the invasion of Okinawa as reflected by the messages passed through the chain of command from COs on the ground to Tennessee. On 18 April, Rear Admiral Reifsnider, commanding Task Group 51.12, told Captain Heffernan:

"Today our troops took the high ground prepared by the Tennessee yesterday. Seven enemy were killed on the slope and 30 on the top in huge craters caused by the Tennessee... counted 120 enemy dead and numerous demolished antiaircraft weapons and installations. C.O. Headquarters, 6th Marine Division, himself saw the Tennessees fire yesterday and wishes to express his appreciation for the Tennessee's cooperation and delivery of outstanding support. The main and secondary batteries of the Tennessee broke and drove the enemy back. Her naval gunfire on the almost impossible did the job. Congradulations to all the men of the Tennessee."
Lawrence F. Reifsnider[16]

On 26 April, Rear Admiral Hall, TG 51.22 CO, informed Admiral Deyo of a message from the 27th Infantry Division, which read:

"Performance of all firing ships... excellent. We would like to see them have their just compensation and reward, especially the Tennessee."
U.S. 27th Infantry Division[16]

☆•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•☆☆☆•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•☆

Five of her crew were killed in the attack at Pearl Harbor. My father was blown free of the gun turret in the attack, and asbestos rained down on him. I never knew him that he didn't have a cough. This is what eventually killed him. He died of the asbestos cancer, Mesothelioma.

This memorial is made with love and in dedication to his memory. He was gone much, much too soon. I miss the loving father I had, and I am so very, very proud of the man he was.

Bio written by Rhonda ~❤~ I love you daddy
♥ღ•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•❤❤•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•ღ♥

A Place To Rest
by Alison

God looked down on your body,
So tired from hanging on,
From a life that was overwhelming you,
And wanted back His son.
So he took away the air you breathe,
And gave you what was best,
A place to be at peace,
A final place to rest.

♥ღ•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•❤❤•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•ღ♥

Thank you to Sue SSBJ for sponsoring my father's memorial! It means so much and God bless you! Please visit her sweet daughter Rhysa it would mean the world to her.

♥ღ•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•❤❤•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•ღ♥

I want to thank everyone who's left a token and kind words on my grandpapa's memorial. It means so much and is appreciated more than you can ever know! Love and God's Blessing to you all! ~ Solie

♥ღ•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•❤❤•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•ღ♥

A special thank you to Sweet Memories ~ Sue for the precious token you made for my grandpapa. Such a sweet thing to do and mother will be so touched as am I.

Blessings to you ~ Solie

♥ღ•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•❤❤•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•ღ♥

Grandparents:
John Albert Hazelton (1871 - 1932)
Martha Ann Robinson Hazelton (1868 - 1900)

♥ღ•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•❤❤•*¨*•.¸¸.•*¨*•ღ♥

Inscription

GM1 US NAVY WORLD WAR II