Ralph Charles Novak

May 21, 1942

Last week the Tribune published as list of names of men in the armed services from Flagler County, compiling the list from the best sources, but some names were not secured..... two of these were RALPH C. NOVAK and E. P. Novak

November 19, 1942

RALPH C. NOVAK is in the navy and has the rating of coxswain. Ralph has been in about two years and is now "somewhere on the Pacific ocean."

September 9, 1943

Another Flagler county service man has met up with a fellow citizen in the South Pacific area. This time Raymond Smith in the Seabees ran into RALPH NOVAK, Navy man. A letter from Raymond this week informed us.

And also, incidentally, that RALPH is now a Boatswain Mate first class.

Raymond goes on to say. "I understand there are several fellows from home over here." But he has not met any except NOVAK.

September 16, 1943

Another letter from another Bunnell young man down in the South Pacific - RALPH NOVAK, in the Navy with rating of Boatswain Mate, 2c.

(We appreciate the letter, Ralph, and herewith quote what we can of it for the other fellows)

“When the war first started I was caught in Pearl Harbor just like the rest of the gang stationed there. Since that time I have been out in the South Pacific, excepting two trips to the States. From the beginning the war until January 1943, I had been on one of the heavy cruisers. During that time I went through four of the major naval engagements fought in the So. Pacific. Since then, as you know I have been shore based here in (We censored the place, Ralph).”

“Today Raymond Smith from Flagler county was down to see me. I met him here about a week ago. We had quite a talk about the old home town. So far, he is the only one from home I have ran into. From the information I got from him I believe there has been quite a change in the home town since I was last there in 1940.”

(Well, Ralph, all of the gang are glad to hear from you, and we'll all celebrate when the gang gets back home)

November 18, 1943

Seabee Herbert Anderson writes Mrs. Anderson here that he recently ran into Raymond Smith and had chow with him. Also that he expects to see RALPH NOVAK before long.

November 25, 1943

Florian Novak, with the Navy at Jacksonville was home this week for a few days. Florian his two brothers who have been in service for several years - Edward with the army and now in Australia and RALPH with the Navy and in New Caledonia.

March 16, 1944

Also a letter from BM 1c RALPH NOVAK who has been shore based in North Carolina for several months, but is now back at sea. Ralph said "I am receiving The Tribune regularly and enjoy reading it very much. Since the last time you heard from me I have had another change in duty. I am no longer shore based and I must add, am glad to get the change because I have been on the beach so long I was beginning to think I was in the army and not the navy."

September 21, 1944

Not a lot of news this week from the fellows - that is news that we can print in this column. But a couple of guys are home on furloughs who have seen plenty in the Pacific.

First, RALPH NOVAK, boatswain mate first class, who is here for the first time in four years, and for three years he has been on various types of war ships all over the Pacific. We observed that he has three battle stars on his campaign ribbon. Anyway we went out to his brother-in-law's house the other night to a party for Ralph and we all had a good time. Ralph is the same old Ralph you fellows knew "way back" when he graduated from Bunnell high. He has 30 days leave before he returns to duty - probably to the west coast.

MR. AND MRS. CROSCIN ENTERTAIN WEDNESDAY, HONORING RALPH NOVAK

Mr. and Mrs. James Croscin entertained Wednesday evening at their home honoring Mrs. Croscin's brother, Boatswain's Mate RALPH NOVAK, who is spending a thirty-day leave here visiting with relatives.

Dancing and games were features of entertainment during the evening and was enjoyed by about fifty of their friends.

The refreshment table was overlaid with a handsome lace cloth and centered with a white cake, a replica of one of the war ships on which Mr. Novak has served. It was decorated with miniature flags, blue lettering and candles, representing the four years since his last visit home. Low arrangements of red roses were at either end of the table, carrying out a patriotic color scheme. Beer and sandwiches also were served during the evening.

Mr. and Mrs. Croscin were assisted in serving by Miss Ruth Croscin and Miss Sophie Novak.

October 19, 1944

RALPH NOVAK, who recently spent a 30-day leave here after many months in the Southwest Pacific theater, is now at an amphibious training base near San Diego, Calif.

November 23, 1944

A note from RALPH NOVAK in the navy six years and now at San Diego after a long time in the SWP, says he is getting The Trib OK and that "I hope to complete my amphibious training in a few more weeks, then I'll be assigned to another ship.

Incidentally, this training here seems to be harder work than actual combat duty.

I'll write again when I get my new ship."

(OK, Ralph, and here's hoping you'll have clear sailing).

December 14, 1944

A short letter from RALPH NOVAK, First Class Boatswain Mate, to tell us he is going to sea again. Ralph spent three years in the Pacific and then had a 30-day leave here, returning to California a few weeks ago.

(Here's hoping smooth sailing for you Ralph).

April 12, 1945

Well, at least one fighting man of Flagler County was in on D-Day at Iwo Jima, and he was Boatswain Mate First Class R. C. (RALPH) NOVAK. We have a letter from Ralph dated April 1, in which he wrote:

“I suppose it's about time I wrote you a few lines to let you know that all is well with us here.

Have been receiving The Tribunes just like grapes - they always come in bunches. But will add that they are enjoyed much more than grapes.

So far, since I left the States, I have seen only one new port that I had not been in before when I was out here the last time. The new one was Iwo Jima on D-Day, so it wasn't quite the place we like to spend much time in. The people there seemed to resent our presence. However we, being pretty headstrong ourselves, showed them we could stay, although they didn't like it.

Closing now for lack of anything more to write."

(Well, Ralph, we are glad you came out of the Iwo Jima scrap OK. By this time you probably are in the Okinawa scrap too. Certainly hope it's all over soon.)

October 18, 1945

And here's a letter from the other side of the world:

“Leyte, Philippines. October 3, 1945.
Dear Fuller:

Want to say I received a couple of Tribunes. The only mail I've had for over a period of a month. We have been on the move so much since the war ended that our mail has not been able to keep up with us.

I want to say that I was a very happy person when the war did end as we were loaded and ready for the big invasion of Japan proper. Since then we have been quite busy hauling occupation troops to China and Japan.

They tell us this will be our last trip to Japan - then we take some of the boys home. That's always the trip we look forward to.

By the way, Fuller, they have already starting issuing "Bright Work Polish." Didn't know this ship had so much brass fixtures on until now. Also hear the Navy sent a convoy of Ships to Egypt to pick up a load of "Holy Stones."
RALPH NOVAK, Chief Boatswain Mate.

(Yeah, Ralph, they always issue Bright Work Polish and break out the brass when war is over. I thought, however, a Navy ship couldn't sail without holy stones. Anyway, I'm glad I am not in to do in polishing or shoving a holy stone, and hope you are home soon).

December 13, 1945

Chief "Bosun" Mate RALPH NOVAK sent us a Christmas card signed Mr. and Mrs. How come, Ralph you didn't let us know. Anyway congratulations and best wishes to you and the Mrs.

December 27, 1945

We extend our thanks to, the following for their nice Christmas greetings: Roland Wilson, USS Wasp at Naples, Italy; RALPH NOVAK, USS Caratret, in the Pacific; Lee Drazba, with a USA unit in the Philippines; Wilfred Hunter, USS Furse, in the Atlantic. Also a card from Dell Bradbury in California who did not state whether he is yet in the army or not, but who did say "I am coming to Florida soon."

From Cpl. Vera McCraney in Germany; Pfc. Carroll Leggett, then in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., in Ashburn General Hospital; and Coast Guardsman Russell Thompson at Atlantic City, N. J. Thanks a million for remembering us.