A March 25, 1943, Lowell Tribune article (page 2, column 1) lists Pvt.Ralph McClanahan as taking his basic training at Camp Swift, Texas.
This February 3, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Ralph McClanahan, son of Mrs. Leslie O. Tilton, writes home that he has been promoted from Private to Private First Class. He is now stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.
Another son, S/Sgt. Robert McClanahan, writes from New Guinea that he is well and getting along fine.
The following June 29, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
Arrives in England
Mrs. Leslie Tilton has received word from he son, Pfc. Ralph McClanahan, that he has arrived safely in England with his outfit.
A Sept. 28, 1944, Lowell Tribune article (page 2, column 2) about Robert D. McClanahan mentioned that his brother Ralph was serving in the infantry.
The following October 5, 1944, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
Back on Duty
A telegram from the war department informs Mrs. Leslie Tilton that her son, Pfc. Ralph McClanahan, who was wounded in action several weeks ago in Italy, had fully recovered and had returned to duty with his outfit.
This March 1, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 1:
After waiting for seven months to hear from her son, Pfc. Ralph McClanahan, overseas with the US. forces, Mrs. Leslie O. Tilton received a letter from him Monday. Ralph mailed the letter Feb. 15th, and at that time was getting along fine, although he said the fighting had been very heavy. He said he had been to Paris on furlough several times but still thinks there's no place like the good old U.S.A.
This June 28, 1945, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 2:
Mrs. Leslie Tilton has recieved letters the past week from her two sons, T/ Sgt. Robert McClananhan, and Pfc. Ralph McClanahan. Robert, who was wounded in the Philippines, says he is now back with his outfit and feeling fine. His mother has received the Purple Heart which was awarded him. Ralph also writes that he is well and is expecting his outfit to be removed from France, where they have been stationed.
The following April 18, 1946, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 2, column 4:
After spending two months here with his mother, Mrs. Leslie Tilton and family, Pfc. Ralph McClanahan has returned to duty at Camp Atterbury. He re-enlisted after serving with the U.S. forces overseas for 18 months.
The following December 4, 1947, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 8, column 3:
Pfc. Ralph McClanahan was home over the holiday visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie O. Tilton. Ralph is now stationed in Camp Campbell, Kentucky.
The following article from the Southlake Register (May 8, 1990) can be found in the Local History Files at Lowell Public Library (LH--Vital Statistics, vol. 2, page 73):
Ralph McClanahan, 68, former Lowell resident and area farmer, died at Blanchard, Okla., Apr. 27 at the Norman Regency Hospital, Norman, Okla.
He is survived by wife, Doris, Blanchard; son, William, Sumerville, Ala.; daughter, Carol Garett, Mustang, Okla.; grandchildren, April, Alabama; Robert and Nick Garret, Mustang; brothers, Les Tilton, Lowell; Dean Tilton, Shelby; sister, Frances Doty, Attica; brother-in-law, LaMar Wood, Lowell; sister-in-law, Elsie Showalter, Oklahoma City, Okla. He was preceded in death by brother Bob McClanahan, and sister Mary June Wood.
Ralph, a World War II veteran and member of the VFW in Blanchard, moved to Oklahoma eight years ago. He worked several years for the county in Blanchard before retiring in 1988.
Services April 30 at the First Baptist Church were followed by burial at the Blanchard Cemetery.