Ralph Elden served in the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant in World War II. He died on June 6, 1942 in the sinking of the destroyer U.S.S. Hammann in the Battle of Midway. He earned a citation for his action in taking charge of the ship when his commanding officer was temporarily disabled. With cool courage and unfailing presence of mind, he continued to direct abandon ship operations aboard the rapidly sinking vessel until the decks were completely awash and he went down into the sea. A few seconds thereafter, he was killed by an underwater explosion. He was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.