NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID
RG2432.AM: Orville Alfred Ralston, 1894-1942
Papers: 1917-1943
Ainsworth, Brown County and Valentine, Cherry County, Neb.: Aviator; dentist
Size: 1 box and 1 reel of microfilm
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Orville A. Ralston was born in September of 1894 near Weeping Water, Nebraska. He graduated from Peru State Teachers College in 1915 and from the University of Nebraska Dental College in 1920. He entered training at the outbreak of World War I and served in both British and American forces. An aviator, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in October of 1918 for his “combat success and daring” in leading a fight over the western front. He was officially credited with the destruction of six German planes and was given unofficial credit for six more. He was recognized as an expert on ballistics and gunnery.
From 1920 to 1936 Ralston practiced dentistry in Ainsworth, Nebraska, except while doing graduate work in the San Francisco College of Physicians and Surgeons. While at Ainsworth he served two terms on the city council, one as mayor. In 1937 he moved to Valentine, Nebraska. The following year he was appointed to the state aeronautical commission. After World War II began he enlisted and was commissioned a Major in the Air Corps in 1942, serving as a personnel officer. Major Ralston was killed in an airplane crash near Great Falls, Montana, December 30, 1942. He was survived by his wife, Charlotte, and three children, Janet, Robert, and Patricia.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE
This collection consists of one microfilm reel, one box and one oversize folder of manuscript material arranged in five Series: 1) Diaries, 1917-1919; 2) Photographs (scrapbook), 1917-1919; 3) Certificates, 1917, 1925, 1942; 4) Military Documents, 1915-1925; 1937; 1942-1943; and 5) Miscellany. The material relates to the military service of Orville A. Ralston, concentrating primarily on his training and exploits as an aviator in World War I. Some papers documenting his military career during the 1920s and during World War II are also included.
The diaries of series 1 begin with Ralston’s enlistment in 1917, and end with his return from Europe in 1919. The entries provide information on his training in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and France prior to entering combat. Of particular interest are his descriptions of flight observations over the front, bombings, and dog fights. Other entries describe military personnel he served with and other places visited while on leave. The original diaries are available only on microfilm. A typed transcript, rearranged in chronological order, is available both on microfilm and in Box 1.
The photographs, 1917-1919, of series 2 relate to Ralston’s aviation career and include photos of his flying comrades. Arranged in scrapbook form, this album also includes souvenirs and newspaper clippings. This is available both on microfilm and in Box 1. Series 3 is comprised of certificates awarded to Ralston for military enlistment, completion of military training, or as citations for military service for bravery, 1917, 1925, and 1942. Consult description section for indication of which items are available on film and/or in Box 1.
The military documents of series 4 include Ralston’s records of enlistment, service, combat reports, discharge papers, and death information, 1915-1925; 1937; 1942-1943. All of these items can be found in Box 1. The miscellany of series 5 includes biographical information on Orville A. Ralston, 148th Aero Squadron material, newspaper clippings, and a map of France.
Note: See the photo component [RG2432.PH] for related images. See the NSHS Library catalog for the publication History of the 148th Aero Squadron [940.44 H673a]. See also the article, “Orville ‘Tubby’ Ralston, Nebraska’s War Bird,” Nebraska History, 1995, vol. 76, pp. 164-175.
DESCRIPTION
Series 1 – Diaries, 1917-1919
Reel 1
Volume
-
- May 25-October 15, 1917; July 4-October 13, 1918
-
- December 31, 1917-July, 1918
-
- October 23, 1918-January 24, 1919
Box 1
Folder
-
- Typed Transcript – rearranged in chronological order
Series 2 – Photographs (Scrapbook), 1917-1919
Reel 1 and Box 1
Volume
-
- 1917-1919: Composed primarily of photographs; souvenirs and newspaper clippings also included
Series 3 – Certificates, 1917, 1925, 1942
Reel 1
Distinguished Service Cross, 1925
Air Intelligence School, 1942
State of Nebraska Appreciation Certificate, c.1942
Oversize folder A
Air Intelligence School Certificate, 1942
Memorial Certificate, 1942
Appointment as 1st Lieutenant
Series 4 – Military Documents, 1915-1925; 1937; 1942-1943
Box 1
-
- 1915-1919
-
- 1920-1925
-
- 1937; 1942-1943
Series 5 – Miscellany
Box 1
-
- Biographical information on Ralston; 148th Aero Squadron material; newspaper clippings
Oversize folder A
Map of France; newspaper clipping
ADDED ENTRIES:
Aeronautics
Dentists — Nebraska
Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame
Ralston, Orville Alfred, 1894-1942
United States. Army. Aero Squadron, 148th
World War, 1914-1918 — Aerial operations
World War, 1914-1918 — Personal narratives
World War, 1939-1945
DDS/ht 10-1974
AIP/ksa 07-1990
Revised KFK 08-07-2003
Encoded TMM 03-16-2011