USS Indianapolis CA-35
Lost At Sea

Name: Ralph John HELSCHER
Rank / Rating: S1-Seaman First Class
Service #: 948 44 16
DOB: Sep 15, 1911
From: Cheviot, OH
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Henry Helscher
Went Aboard: May 07, 1944
Age When Ship Went Down: 33 years, 10 months, 15 days
Spouse: Mrs. Josephine K. Helscher
Children: Jack (8) and Larry (3)
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Carl Fahnestock (Admin)
Date Posted: Jul 30, 2025

Prior to entering the service, Seaman First Class Ralph Helscher was employed by Holman Brothers Dairy. Ralph was survived by his spouse (Josephine) and two sons (Jack and Larry). In addition to his parents, Ralph was also survived by three brothers (S/Sgt Orville, in Italy and Roy and Wilbur of Cincinnati) and one sister (Vera - in Sharonville). Burial at Sea Ralph was one of the twenty crew members picked up and identified by USS French Monday August 6, 1945. His official Burial at Sea Ceremony was performed by the Commanding Officer, LCDE Reginald C. Robbins at 1835 hours. Ralph was reverently placed in a sea bag, weighted with two 5" shells and "committed to the deep". See below to review a Cincinnati Enquirer Newspaper Article ("Eight Seamen Declared Dead; With Crew Of Indianapolis; Fate of Ninth Undisclosed"). The article mentions Ralph J. Helscher along with eight other men from Hamilton County who were all Lost at Sea with the sinking of USS Indianapolis CA-35 on July 30, 1945. Albert Koegler William Koegler Ralph A. Priestle Paul J. Gottmann Edward G. Halloran Paul J. Mauntel Joseph W. Long Jerome C. Neuman Burial at Sea Ralph was one of the eight crew members picked up and identified by USS French Monday August 6, 1945. His official Burial at Sea Ceremony was performed by the Commanding Officer, LCDE Reginald C. Robbins at 1835 hours. Ralph was reverently placed in a sea bag, weighted with two 5" shells and "committed to the deep".