SHAWLEE, RALPH F.

Ralph F. Shawlee, died Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1999.

Mass of Christian burial was held in December. Burial was in New Auburn Cemetery with military honors.

Shawlee was born Jan. 29, 1921, in Havre, to Jim and Rose Shawlee. He grew up in Havre. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1942, and became a member of the famed Carlson’s Raiders. With the Raiders, he participated in the battles of Midway, Guadalcanal and Bougainville. With the Fifth Marine Division, he took part in the battle of Iwo Jima. He witnessed the flag raising on Mount Suribachi. He was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation during his service in the Solomon Islands and the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on Iwo Jima.

He graduated from the University of Denver, and spent the greater part of his career as financial management officer for NASA at Ames Research Center in Sunnyvale, Calif. He moved to Auburn, Calif., in 1990.

Survivors include his wife, the former Jean Smithson of Hogeland; sons, Mike Shawlee of Santa Rosa, Calif., Rick Shawlee of Los Gatos, Calif.; a daughter, Randi Alonzo of Meadow Vista, Calif.; brothers, Hal Shawlee of Los Angeles, Calif., and Keith (Noel) Shawlee of Bellevue, Wash.; and six grandchildren.