Evening star., 1945-05-28
BY CASPER NAMES.

Inc man considered the wars
most serious living casualty sat
with bowed head yesterday before
the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
as taps was sounded.
The crowd, gathered to watch the
placing of the wreaths at the Tomb
remained silent and motionless as
Corpl. Ralph A. Brown of Youngs-
town, Ohio, kept his meditative po-
sition after the taps had been
sounded. The wreath laying cere-
mony had taken. place after the
seventh annual solemn memorial
mass held in the Arlington amphi-
theater had been said.
Thomas J. Kehoe, executive direc-
tor of the Catholic War Veterans,
walked over to the veteran. He had
brought Corpl. Brown to Arlington
from Walter Reed Hospital for this
latters first visit to Americas shrine
for its warrior dead. The soldier
had chosen the annual mass for the
war dead, sponsored by the WASH
ington General Assembly, Fourth
OC61CC, xA1l4SllOo Vi dtl0
the National Capital Committee of
Catholic Societies for his initial
trip to the cemetery. Mr.. Kehoe
said something to the veteran, the
latter lifted his head, answered and
then smiled.
Attends Mass Earlier.
Earlier during the mass he sat in
his wheel chair, raincoat folded in
his lap, in the colonnade near the
platform where the service was held.
With him was his mother, Mrs.
Mary Brown, and a sister, Mrs.
James Zimmerman, both of Youngs-
town. They listened intently as the
Rev. DR.. James A. Magner of Cath
olic University, assisted by the Right
Rev. Charles Diamond, Army chap
lain at Fort George A. Meade, and
the Very Rev. Samuel Cummings,
S. A.. of Catholic University, cele-
brated the mass.
The 28-year-old soldier was said
by Walter Reed Hospital officials to
be the first American soldier to sur
vive a triple limb amputation at one
time. He was gunner of company
commander tank in the 9Th Armored
Division in France when he was
wounded on September %. 1914 The
tank stalled and refused to start.
Some one said, Lets get out of
here" when the tank was hit.
The veteran managed to get as
far thu t,,r 0f fhn fon1
hung over it by the arm pits as
a lieutenant came towards it shout
ing, "1'll be right there, Brown" At
this point the corporal said he
passed out.
Following months of hospitaliza-
ton in Europe and the United
States, Corpl. Brown was brought
to Walter Reed in January. He re-
ceived new hand February TO-.
Intent on Sermon.
He followed with obvious interest
the call by the Most Rev. Michael
j. Ready, Bishop of Columbus, Ohio,
on those at San Francisco to keep
the faith by enforcing the peace.
1.-THE men of Arlington are speak
ing" the bishop declared as Corpl.
Brown looked up at him from his
wheel chair, land they dare us in
decency and justice to live with our
consciences if we fail to make the
world secure from war"
Other servicemen, many wearing
Purple Hearts, were among the
worshipers, crowding the colonnades
to avoid the steady drizzle of rain,
who listened to Bishop Ready, for
merly secretary of the National
Catholic Welfare Conference in
Washington, call on the statesmen
at San Francisco to write charter
for a world organization to promote
international security and peace"
After the mass Corpl. Brown was
taken to the top of the stairs leading
from the amphitheater house to the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to
watch representatives of 66 national
and local Catholic organizations
place wreaths at the shrine. Men,
bers of the Knights of Columbus
formed lane, swords placed against
each mans right shoulder, from the
bottom step to the tomb. Each
bearer of wreath marched down
the steps, through the lane and to
the tomb. Watching the ceremony,
the former Youngstown dairy work.
er said the wreath laying was most
effective"
Taps were then sounded. The
crowd slowly dispersed. Mr.. Kehoe,
Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Zimmerman
joined the veteran.
Plans for Future.
plans for the future?" Corpl.
Brown said. II started on one yes
terday."