Born on May 6, 1921 in Watertown, Mass., Capt. Ralph Di Con was a former Merchant Marine officer who entered the Navy during World War II and was commissioned an ensign on April 12, 1943.
He served as navigator on USS Oceanus (ARB-2), USS General J. H. McRae and USS LeJeune (ARB-74). In February, 1948, he reported to Line School in Monterey, Calif. He served as navigator on USS Juneau (CLA- 119) in 1951 and then as executive officer on USS H. W. Tucker (DDR-875) in 1953.
In October, 1957, he reported to USS Yorktown (CVS-10) as the gunnery officer and then took command of USS George K. MacKenzie (DD-836).
From October, 1961 to November, 1963, Capt. Di Con was the operations officer at NavSubSec, Republic of China. He took command of USS Kennebec (AO-36) in December, 1963. His next assignment was as assistant chief of staff at commander, Naval Forces, Marianas and in February, 1967, he was the commander, Coastal Surveillance Force, Vietnam. He served as commander, Destroyer Squadron 16 from April, 1968 to July, 1969 and then as the director, antisubmarine tactical training officer at the Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare School, San Diego. In June, 1970, Capt. Di Con became the commanding officer of Naval Station, San Diego, prior to becoming the chief of staff at NTC. In June, 1972, he became the center commander at NTC. He retired from Naval service on July 1, 1973.
His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal; Legion of Merit with one Gold Star; Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation; American Campaign Medal; American Defense Service Medal; European African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one Bronze Star; World War II Victory Medal; Navy Occupation Service Medal (Asia); China Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star; Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars; Vietnam Service Medal; United Nations Service Medal; Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device.
