Ruel R. Whitcher

1911 - 1979

Manning Monitor
April 17, 1941

Ruel Whitcher Now Chief On
U. S. S. Tarpon
Word has been received that Ruel Rustin Whitcher, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Whitcher of Manning, was made Chief Machinist Mate on March 1, 1941 of the U. S. S. Tarpon (submarine) stationed at Manila, P. I.
Ruel has been in the submarine service most of the time since his enlistment in the navy nearly 14 years ago. Although a young man, having joined the service at the age if 17, Ruel has less than 6 years of service remaining before retirement.
Ruel is due back in the states on the Transport leaving Manila in November.
Mrs. Ruel Whitcher and young son recently returned from Manila, P. I. and will spend several months at the Wm. Whitcher home in Manning.

Manning Monitor article------ 1943

In Service 14 Years
Ruel Whitcher, who has been in the Navy for almost fourteen years is on furlough, visiting with his brother Judson in California.
He will also visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Whitcher in Manning.

Ensign R. R. Whitcher Writes
Ensign R. R. Whitcher of the submarine division, a veteran of many years in the Navy, writes that he has just returned from thirty days leave in California and is back out fighting the little yellow skinned so-and-sos again.
He sends greetings to Manning friends and says he is looking forward to getting the Monitor.

Manning Monitor article------ 1944

A Submarine Hero
Lt. Don Musfeldt, located in the South Pacific writes a story home about a Manning boy from who you would never hear deeds of heroism directly. Don received his information from mates of this man and passes the following information to home folks.

His letter reads in part:
A couple of days ago on pass I was going to see if I could find Ruel Whitcher and I did. I just want to say a few words about him. He is now an Ensign, the same as a 2nd Lt. in the Army. He has 15 years on Submarines, an expert on them in fact. I was with him from 4 in the afternoon till midnight and really had a time. Some of his friends told me of him.
You'll never read of him in "Look" or "Life" or anything like that, but they say he saved Subs from going down a time or two and is known as one of the best in the entire Pacific Area. His character is excellent, very modest.
You'll never hear much from him-he just isn't that type.

Knowing what Ruel has done and is doing I think he is one of the most outstanding men in the service from Iowa. That's not saying too much either. He was down to my house and we are getting together as often as we can. He turned down one commission a year ago, because he wanted to be one of the fellows, just like the other enlisted men on board.

I can't tell you what he does, what ship he is on or the like, but that boy is and has done so much more than anyone I know of, you just can't believe it.
Oh yes, he and the fellows he stays with have a drawer full of medals, top medals one could earn. They don't say much about it. Ruel is just 32 years old and has only 4 more years to go before retirement.
He told me of numerous times they dove to miss being fired on, laying in Japanese waters for weeks on end.

Ruel Whitcher Writes Hi, People:
Just a few lines to thank you for the Manning Monitor. I just finished reading the last of the fourteen issues. So you see I receive them in large amounts now and then.
I run across a name now and then of some of the fellows I know before I came in the Navy. Most of them are giving the Japs hell which is okay by me. That is one thing I enjoy doing myself, but after almost three years of being out; here it does get monotonous.
I should be going back for a new submarine before many more years roll by.
Missed my chance last year by going on thirty days leave. At that time a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush. Anyway, next year I will be back in the land of three point two for a month or so, and will try and thank you personally for the papers.
Sincerely, Ruel R. Whitcher

P. S. Just ran into John Babik, Andrew Babik's son from Aspinwall. Had quite a chat with him. Hadn't seen him for quite a few years. So we really got together and I gave him all the old copies of the Monitor I had.

RUEL R. WHITCHER
August 9, 1979 Manning Monitor

Funeral services for Ruel R. Whitcher were held July 31 in the NAS Fallon Chapel, Fallon, Nev., with Chaplain Allan R. Latty officiating. The body was cremated and sent to San Francisco Naval Base, and the ashes to be scattered at sea.

Ruel, son of Effie and William Whitcher, was born in Manilla, Iowa, February 12, 1911. He moved to Manning with his parents in 1915 and attended Manning School until he entered the Navy in his senior year.

He was united in marriage to Doris Wilcox of Seattle, Washington on June 18, 1937. One son was born to this union.

He was a career Navy man serving in the submarine service for 30 years. He retired as a Lt. Commander.

Ruel died suddenly of a heart attack in his home at Fallon, Nev. July 28, 1979, at the age of 68.
He was preceded in death by his mother.
He is survived by his widow, Doris of Fallon; a son, Ruel Jr. of Las Vegas; his father, Wm. Whitcher, Manning; a brother, Judson, Whitcher, Gardena, Calif.; a sister, Mrs. Fergus Klein, Sioux City, Iowa; nieces, nephews, as well as other relatives and friends.