Our reporting on local veterans is a collaboration with RyeVets.org to highlight those from Rye who have served our country across times of war and peace. There are over 2,100 veterans from the City of Rye. Learn more about how you can help research and write biographies of those that have served.
Ralph Yerks was born on April 6, 1894, in Bedford Hills, New York. Ralph enlisted into the U.S. Army at Ft. Slocum New York on June 6, 1917. On August 18, 1917 he was assigned to the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division, AEF.
Date of Birth: May 10th, 1896
Died On: September 13th, 1918
Branch of Service: U.S. Army WW I – Co. K, 9th Infantry
Yerkes’s Infantry Regiment fought fervently in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, a major WWI battle that occurred in September of 1918. The command of General John J. Pershing, the American Expeditionary Forces, 110,000 French troops, and the U.S. Air Army Service all contributed to an Allied victory.
One reason for the American forces’ success at St. Mihiel was General Pershing’s thoroughly detailed operations order. Pershing’s operation included detailed plans for penetrating the Germans’ trenches and using a combined arms approach to warfare.
Another reason for the Allied victory was the bravery of small unit commanders on the battlefield. Unlike other officers who commanded their soldiers from the rear, Colonel George S. Patton and Brigadier General Douglas MacArthur led their men from the front lines. They believed that a commander’s personal control of the situation would help ease the chaos of the battlefield.
Despite his regiment’s bravery and success, Ralph Yerks died on September 13, 1918, during the Battle of St. Mihiel. He was 24 years old. Yerkes is buried at Plot C, Row 8, Grave 36 at the St. Mihiel American Cemetery in Thiaucourt, France. More on Yerkes.
