WILLIAM JAMES RUHE, DECORATED NAVY VETERAN, AUTHOR AND COMPOSER
Captain William James Ruhe, a decorated veteran of three wars, who wrote extensively about his World War II experiences in submarines and was the former editor of The Submarine Review, died on November 4 at his home in McLean, Virginia. The cause was pneumonia and heart failure. He was 88.
A 1939 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Ruhe served In World War II aboard the submarine, Crevalle and Sturgeon, which became the subject of dozens of stories about the boat's war patrols. In the 1960's Ruhe translated his war experiences to the screen as a scriptwriter and consultant for the television series, The Silent Service. In 1994 Ruhe published his first war novel, War In the Boats, a memoir about submarine warfare followed by Slow Dance to Pearl Harbor, about a young naval ensign in the days before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Ruhe kept a daily journal throughout his life. These journals were rich with details and insights: "as the Japanese destroyers wait for us to surface to open up with their guns, they don't realize we are playing a card game of Hearts below ... We're too busy to come up!" These words were written after the Crevalle had made a bold attack which had sunk two ships and then had submerged to hide from the Japanese fleet-the card game was resumed not only to pass the time but also to settle the sailor's nerves.
Ruhe received three silver stars for his heroism in World War II. During the Korean War, Ruhe had his first command, The Sea Devil. His last command was The Topeka, a guided missile cruiser that he took to Viet Nam in 1964. Following his retirement from the Navy, Ruhe became the 'corporate director of marine programs for submarine manufacturer General Dynamics, managing the New Products division. During this time he also became the editor of The Submarine Review and began writing about his war experiences. His work, came to the attention of author Tom Clancy who chose him to be the technical advisor for The Hunt for Red October.
A Renaissance man, Ruhe was: an outstanding athlete, a gifted musician on the bass fiddle and ukulele, a singer in barbershop quartets and church choirs, a water color artist, a writer, a thinker and a warrior. He is survived by his wife of 62 yeas "Carol Vermilye, daughters Joanna Exacoustos and Melody Walczk, sons: William Jr: , Richard Ryker and Barnaby Ruhe, ten grandchildren and one great grandchild, his brothers David and Benjamin and sister Judith Diehl.
