Wesley H. Ruth

Wesley Hoyt Ruth, age 101, a decorated WWII Pearl Harbor hero passed away at Plantation Estates, Matthews, on May 23, 2015. He was born in DeSmet, South Dakota on November 6, 1913 and graduated from South Dakota State College in 1936 with a degree in Chemistry. After screening for Navy Flight School, he entered the US Navy in 1939 and spent over 20 years as an Aviator and Commanding Officer, until his retirement in 1960. Subsequently, he worked for the Department of the Navy and Defense Contractors, finally concluding his working years as a Chemistry Instructor at a prestigious boys high school in Washington, DC. During his career, he served the Navy in many different US States, frequently moving his family every 6-12 months. In 1954-56, he and his family lived in London and Northwood, Middlesex, UK, while he was attached to NATO and the Royal Air Force. After returning to Virginia in 1956, he resided in his home near Lake Barcroft, VA just outside of WDC, until the 1980’s when he and Jean moved to California, MD, near Patuxent River Naval Air Station for several years. In 1998 they resettled for the last time to Plantation where they resided and until her death in 2007 and his passing.

Commander Ruth was awarded the Navy Cross, the US Navy’s second highest award for bravery after the Medal of Honor, for his actions at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He was a LTJG and Squadron Duty Officer on Ford Island at the time of the attack. He piloted the first unarmed plane, a JRS twin-engine amphibious aircraft, to take off from Ford Island/Pearl Harbor after the attack, under orders to conduct reconnaissance on the Japanese Fleet and attempt to determine whether there would be another Japanese attack. He, his copilot, radioman and three Seamen had only Springfield rifles in the cabin for use in defending themselves in case of an attack by Japanese fighter aircraft during their 250 mile NW sortie. They returned safely without sighting the Japanese fleet and managing to evade a Japanese fighter by using cloud cover. He retired from the Navy in 1960 having accumulated over 5,500 flight hours in 23 different single engine, multi-engine, fixed wing aircraft, both land based and amphibious. He was an expert on military, political and related aspects of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Over the last 15 years he gave several presentations about it to community groups, schools, churches and news organizations. Two such addresses are on You Tube; on December 7, 2013, the Charlotte Observer carried his interview on its front page.

Wes, as he preferred to be called, was the eldest son of his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Horner Ruth, who are deceased. His first wife, Mildred Eloise Rusin Ruth, died in February 1974, and his second wife, Jean McCotter Dixon Ruth died in January 2007. Wes was married to each of his wives for more than 30 years and they are interred in his Arlington National Cemetery grave site. His younger brother Paul Thomas Ruth died in 1992 and Paul’s wife Leola died in 2014, leaving six children and numerous grandchildren. Wes’ youngest brother, LTJG Thomas Arthur Ruth, who was unmarried, was also a Naval Aviator who was shot down in the South Pacific in June 1943 by Japanese fighters.

Wes is survived by his son Thomas (Tucker) Arthur Ruth II and daughter-in-law Rita Carole Webb Ruth of Reston, VA, and a daughter Mary Ann (Mimi) Ruth of Charlotte, NC. His younger son, John Anthony (Tony) Ruth died in 2008, leaving a surviving daughter-in-law Susan M. Cole Seques Ruth of Springfield, VA. Tucker, Mimi and Tony are children from his first wife, Mildred. Wes is also survived by two step-daughters from his marriage to Jean, Caroline Clubb, wife of John Clubb, of Stafford, VA, and Marilyn Demarest wife of Bruce Demarest, of Reno, NV. Wes is also survived by Tucker and Rita’s two sons: Capt. Michael S. Ruth, USN, his wife, Katherine Rose Ruth, and their sons Samuel Alan and Wes’ namesake Wesley Hugh. of Coronado, CA; and Eric Anthony Ruth and his wife Camelia Z. Ruth, and her daughters, Hana and Heather Herndon, all of Orlando, FL; their third and youngest son, Zachary Matthew Ruth, died in 2013. Wes is also survived by the children of John and Caroline Clubb: John, Marie, Sam, Earle, and Julie, all of whom have children; and there are also nineteen grandchildren and one great grandchild. Marilyn has a son, Shane, and one grandchild. Susan Ruth has two sons, Stephen and Daniel Seques, and two grandchildren. Wes also has several surviving relatives from his wives’ families, the Rusins of Gloucester City, NJ, and the McCotters and Cowells of Bayboro, NC, especially his niece Patricia Cowell Morris and her husband Marvin Morris of Semora, NC and their children and grandchildren, and her siblings throughout NC.

Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service at the Plantation Estates Auditorium (701 Plantation Estates Drive, Matthews, NC 28105 at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, May 27, and a reception with light refreshments in the atrium lobby next to the auditorium. There will be a burial with full military honors during the summer for the interment of Wes Ruth’s ashes at his Arlington National Cemetery grave site, after ANC provides the date.

Wes was a profound believer in the Bible and teachings of Jesus Christ and actively supported many Christian organizations throughout his life, especially those devoted to spreading the “good news” of the Bible. His family fondly remembers his spiritual encouragement, love of big band music and classic movies, and many hobbies, including drumming, dancing, golfing, fishing, painting, and playing the piano. He was a man for all seasons, who lived his life humbly, honorably and with high integrity.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the US Navy Memorial Fund in Washington, DC by going to http://shipsstore.navymemorial.org/donate/donation on your computer.

The Staff of McEwen Funeral Service at Sharon Memorial Park is honored to be entrusted with the care for Mr. Ruth and his family. Condolences may be sent to the Ruth family online at https://www.mcewenfs.com