Ralph Painter Was Part Of The Greatest Generation

Ralph Painter served with distinction.

I was fortunate to get to spend some time with Ralph Painter last Armed Forces Day during the parade and luncheon. Mr. Painter died last Sunday just a few days before his 102nd birthday.

The World War II Army Staff Sergeant and recipient of five Bronze Stars shared with this writer a few of his experiences in the “Big One.”

The West Virginia native said he was 20 years old when they landed at Utah Beach, one of the five landing areas of the Normandy Invasion and, out of the 360 days, he said he only slept under a sheet twice.

The D-Day veteran described how he and his buddy were told not to shoot down a certain German plane but they did it anyway, and the pilot was captured. He said his colonel told him, “Good shot, Kid.”

During our time together the Army Sergeant talked about the “Battle of the Bulge” when the Germans launched that surprise attack. “It was 30 below zero; both of my feet were frozen along with our canned rations. We thawed them by placing the food on our vehicle engines.”

At the parade, Mr. Painter sat in the reviewing stand with another veteran, Jim Sadler. He was greeted by 3^rd District Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, State Senator Todd Gardenhire, City Court Judge Russell Bean and Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett among other dignitaries.

Before the luncheon, the D-Day Vet and Vietnam Army Captain Larry Taylor got acquainted and shared a few stories. Captain Taylor recently was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Walking out of the Convention Center, Mr. Painter said, “This has been a day I’ll never forget.”

He was overheard telling General Bill Raines, “I love my country, God has blessed America. I proudly served, but I wasn’t about to stay in the Army. I just wanted to come home to my high school sweetheart, Elizabeth.” They were married for over 60 years.

Chattanooga Funeral Home President Gene Pike said, “I’ve been a close friend of Mr. Painter for over 40 years and a member of the Friendship Class at Ridgedale Baptist Church.

Mr. Pike said, "I’ll remember my friend Ralph as a great humanitarian, statesman and, most of all, a Christian gentleman."

There will be a visitation at the Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel Friday from 12–2:30, with a service in the chapel to follow. Mr. Painter will be buried next to that high school sweetheart in the Hamilton Memorial Gardens with full military honors.

This Veterans Day we remember all our veterans, but especially Ralph Painter, part of our Greatest Generation.