PFC Ralph William Mueller was born on 18 August 1911, in the city of Peru, Illinois—a small city nestled in the heart of the Illinois Valley. His parents, John and Petronilla (Wagner) Mueller, were both natives of the area, with deep roots in the local community and large extended families. Ralph also had a younger sister Mildetta who was born in 1914.
Ralph’s paternal grandparents William and Mary (Schwamborn) Mueller were immigrants from Ruppichteroth and Heßheim in Germany respectively. They left their country for the U.S. in the early 1880s. Upon arriving, they met and married in 1882, and eventually settled in Spring Valley where they raised their family including Ralph’s father John.
Ralph spent his childhood growing up in the northwestern section of Peru. Ralph’s father, John, worked as a clerk at Westclox, a local clock factory that remained a stable employer even during the challenging times of the Great Depression. Following in his father’s footsteps, Ralph joined Westclox at the age of 18, contributing to the family’s livelihood and gaining valuable experience in the workforce.
As the 1940s unfolded, Ralph witnessed the escalating global conflict of World War II, and like many young men of his time, he was called to serve his country. On 1 July 1942, Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Army in Peoria, Illinois. He was assigned to Company C of the 378th Infantry Regiment, 95th Infantry Division—a unit that would play a crucial role in the European Theater of the war.
The 95th Infantry Division, known as the “Iron Men of Metz,” was instrumental in the Allied efforts to liberate and secure the city of Metz, a strategic objective due to its fortifications and location along the German border. During their push across the European continent, Ralph and his comrades faced fierce resistance from entrenched German forces, enduring the hardships and perils of frontline combat. After the liberation of Metz on 22 November 1944, the division continued to engage with German units, securing the area and preparing for further advances.
Tragically, PFC Ralph William Mueller’s service to his country was cut short when he was killed in action on 1 December 1944, during these critical operations. The details of his death remain a somber reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers like Ralph in the pursuit of freedom and peace.
Initially PFC Ralph Mueller was placed in a temporary grave. After the war, Ralph was laid to rest with full military honors at Rock Island National Cemetery on 28 September 1948. The ceremony was attended by many of his family members. Posthumously, PFC Ralph Mueller would have been eligible for the following medals: Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, WW2 Victory Medal, and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.
This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 421,000+ of the US WWII fallen saved on Together We Served and Fold3. Can you help write these stories? These stories will be accessible via smartphone app at any war memorial or cemetery.
If you noticed anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please email feedback@storiesbehindthestars.org.
- SBTSProject/Illinois/LaSalle
- SBTS Historian: Pam Broviak
You can also access this story at the following sites:
Fold3 Memorial: https://www.fold3.com/memorial/664260142/pfc-ralph-william-mueller-service-no-36062038/stories
Sources:
- 1900 U.S. Census, Mary Wagner, Ancestry.
- 1900 U.S. Census, William Mueller, Ancestry.
- 1920 U.S. Census, John B. Mueller, Ancestry.
- 1930 U.S. Census, John B. Mueller, Ancestry.
- 1940 U.S. Census, John B. Mueller, Ancestry.
- “U.S., Passport Applications, 1795-1925,” William Mueller, Ancestry.
- “U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947,” Ralph William Mueller, Ancestry.
- “U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946,” Ralph W. Mueller, Ancestry.
- “US, WWII Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954,” Ralph Mueller, Fold3
- “U.S., National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, 1928-1962,” Ralph W. Mueller, Ancestry.
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/54555847/ralph-w-mueller
