In the twilight of a generation that witnessed history’s gravest conflicts, the passing of Milton “Rip” Ripple at 98 marks the end of an era. Just three months ago, Ripple stood at Pearl Harbor, saluting those who fought alongside him. Now, the nation bids farewell to this cherished Navy veteran.
Pacific Historic Parks, a nonprofit partner of the National Park Service at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, announced Ripple’s passing on March 22, 2026. The organization honored him as a prominent figure in the Pearl Harbor community, with deep ties to Hawaii spanning over 50 years.
Early Life and Naval Service
Born the fourth of nine children in Pennsylvania, Ripple was just a teenager working as a paper boy when the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, thrust the U.S. into World War II. By 1945, he left school at 17 to join the Navy.
After training in Illinois, Ripple was assigned to the USS Pollux (AKS-4), a ship responsible for transporting supplies across the Pacific. He played a crucial role in keeping forces equipped during operations at locations such as Pearl Harbor, Wake Island, and the Marshall Islands.
Atomic Veteran
In 1946, Ripple participated in Operation Crossroads at Bikini Atoll, where the U.S. conducted its first nuclear weapons tests post-WWII. As part of a fleet of 95 target vessels, Ripple and his crew witnessed two plutonium bomb detonations, similar to those used in Nagasaki. This operation involved about 42,000 military personnel, who became known as “atomic veterans.” With the 80th anniversary of this operation approaching in July 2026, Ripple’s passing removes one of the last living connections to these historic tests.
After his military service, Ripple utilized the GI Bill to attend Reading Business Institute, pursuing a career as an industrial engineer. He married his wife, Jeanne, in 1953, and their marriage lasted until her death in 2017. The couple frequently visited Oahu, where Ripple had served during the war.
Honoring the Past
On December 7, 2025, Ripple attended the 84th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. It was a poignant event, as no survivors from the 1941 attack were present. Ripple took on a ceremonial role, saluting sailors aboard the USS Carl M. Levin during its pass-in-review past the USS Arizona Memorial.
“I’m so honored to be here,” Ripple told KHON2 in Honolulu. “I always think of the veterans who passed away and are buried on the Arizona.”
Ripple’s death highlights the dwindling numbers of World War II veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates fewer than 46,000 of the 16.4 million who served are still alive, with about 230 passing away daily. By 2036, projections indicate only about 300 will remain, transitioning WWII from living memory to documented history.
