WWII Veterans Clay County, North Carolina SSGT. Ralph Myers, U.S. Army
By Mitchell Shields
Guest Writer
There are few WWII Veterans living today that were from Clay and Cherokee Counties. One is Ralph Myers, of Brasstown, N.C., the son of Marion Myers. Myers’s uncle was Columbus Myers from Clay County who was killed during combat in WWI. Ralph’s father and mother moved from Robbinsville, N.C. to Pine Log, N.C. in 1913.
Myers was born in Sept. 1925 after his parents moved to Aaron, Ohio and then in 1930 his parents moved to a farm in Brasstown where he grew up and lives today. Myers and his brother Olen attended school at Ogden and then went to Hayesville High School. After high school, Olen and Ralph received an invitation to see the world courtesy of Uncle Sam. Olen served in the Army Air Corps Transport Command in the Pacific Theater, Australia and New Zealand. After boot-camp at Camp Croft, S.C., Ralph received further training at Fort Mead as an anti-tank specialist.
Myers deployed to the European Theater with the 349th Regiment 8th Army via Naples and then to Northern Italy on the Morgan Line between Yugoslavia and Italy. He was redeployed to Fort Bragg and was discharged in Nov. of 1947 and recalled to active reserves in December due to the war in Korea. He was released from active reserves in 1951.
Myers’s civilian career included attending music school in Kentucky and Vaughn Music School and Stamps Baxter’s Music School in Dallas, Texas; he also sang tenor with a traveling quartet. Ralph traveled throughout the area teaching music courses. Additionally, Ralph earned a degree in Biblical Studies from Southeaster Baptist Seminary.
Myers’s love for farming continued to be prominent in his life and he had a dairy farm for 45 years. Though, he has long since retired from dairy farming, he continues helping his son and grandsons raising beef cattle and putting up hay. Myers joined the American Legion, Post 96, prior to a Post being established in Hayesville.
Myers’s family has certainly been involved in serving in defense of the nation. His son-in-law, Stanley Roberts, served for several years in the U.S. Navy. His nephews, his brother Olen’s sons, Philip and Paul also served in the military. Olen’s son Philip, retired as a Navy Seal and Philip’s son, Philip Jr. is presently serving in the military. Olen’s son, Paul, has two son’s and they are presently serving in the military.
Ralph, a tremendous thank you for your service to God and Country. Thank you for your continued support in caring for veterans and their families. Thank you for continuing to stand the watch for God and Country.
All veterans are invited to join Myers and George Lee Post 532 for a meal and hear him share his thoughts on Old Glory and Patriotism from the perspective of “The Greatest Generation.” We will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday June 24 at 25 Riverside Circle, just below the Hayesville Post office.