Provided by Colonel William Grayson Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution | Photos by Paula Schwoerer
Captain Ralph Frederick DeWalt, United States Navy (Ret.), was honored with the National Society Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) Burial Ritual on Dec. 2 by six Compatriots representing three Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution (VASSAR) Chapters. His home chapter, Colonel William Grayson, organized honors and provided four Compatriots: President Michael Weyler, Secretary David Button, Past President Thad Hartman and Barry Schwoerer. George Mason Chapter President Ken Morris and Colonel James Wood II member Paul Christensen rounded out the VASSAR team.
Captain DeWalt was a resident of Catharpin in Prince William County. He died from complications of cancer caused by Agent Orange. His exposure was during the Vietnam War while flying missions from aircraft carriers.
The team saluted the casket as it was carried into and out of the Old Chapel at Ft Meyer, adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery. An Navy and Army Honor Guard marched with a horse-drawn Caisson as it wound through Arlington National Cemetery to Captain DeWalt’s final resting place. After a military gun salute and Taps, the VASSAR team moved forward and conducted the NSSAR Burial Ritual. Following the ceremony, the team presented a plaque to Mrs. Charlotte DeWalt, Captain DeWalt’s widow, and the DeWalt family. The plaque commemorated the link from Captain DeWalt to his Patriot Ancestor, Private Christian DeWalt, who served in the Northampton County, Pennsylvania Militia.
Captain DeWalt was given full military honors, fitting for a veteran with Vietnam War combat experience. He was a highly respected Naval Aviator who flew multiple type aircraft from several different aircraft carriers. He closed his aviation career as Commanding Officer of a Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron flying EA-6B “Prowler” aircraft. You could not find a more patriotic family than the DeWalts.
Ralph and his wife Charlotte had four sons. Three graduated from the Naval Academy and all four sons earned Navy pilot wings of gold. Rodney was selected for promotion to Rear Admiral in September 2017. Captain DeWalt had the honor and pleasure of saluting newly promoted Rear Admiral Rodney DeWalt at a promotion ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard. Captain DeWalt later said saluting his son was the biggest honor he ever had. Five members of the DeWalt family became members of NSSAR: Ralph, Michael, Rodney, Lucas, and Nicholas. Lucas DeWalt is a second lieutenant in the USAF who entered Air Force Flight training in 2020, making him the third generation of DeWalts becoming military pilots.
VASSAR Burial Ritual Team Saluting Captain DeWalt’s casket as it enters the Old Chapel at Fort Meyer
