Ralph Kern

Era: World War I

Military Branch: Navy

Ralph (Happy) Linden Kern was born August 21, 1894 in Neillsville, Wisconsin to Harry and Cora Kern. He enlisted in the Navy on June 21, 1917. He trained in the Coast Guard in Duluth Harbor from June 22, 1917 to September 14, 1917. He then went on to the Great Lakes Training Station from September 15, 1917 to October 28, 1917. After that he spent from October 30, 1917 to May 11, 1918 at various other training facilities such as Harvard Radio School, London State Pier, and the Armory at New London. He was stationed aboard the U.S. Sub-Chaser # 133. He promoted from 2c Seaman to 3c Electrician on March 15, 1918, and again from 3c Electrician to 2c Electrician in August 1918. He married Lillian M. Larson.