| Ralph Briggs | |
|---|---|
 Briggs after the bombardment | |
|
Actor: |
Adam Booth |
|
Rank: |
Sergeant |
|
Battles: |
Guadalcanal Campaign |
|
Status: |
Deceased as of 1998 |
Sergeant Ralph Briggs is a minor character in John Basilone's battalion.
Biography[]
Guadalcanal Campaign[]
Briggs' only appearance was in episode two during the battle of Guadalcanal. He is an NCO from Able Company, in the 1st Battalion of the 7th Marine Regiment.
He survives the overnight bombardment of the airfield, and is sent to summon Basilone, J.P. Morgan and Manny Rodriguez to Colonel Chesty Puller's post in a meeting with all D Company NCOs. Before informing them, he pauses to stare at the remains of bodies in a foxhole that took a direct hit from the bombing.
Later, Briggs and his platoon are ordered to set up an outpost south of the Marine line. That night, he calls Puller and informs him of the massive Japanese advancement, saying "I've got the whole f**king Jap army headed your way." Chesty then tells him to regroup with the rest of Able Company once the enemy passes him. Briggs survives the assault over the Matanikau, but was wounded in the arm. He recovers, and would head to Melbourne with the rest of the 7th Marines.
Briggs survived action at Guadalcanal, however he later caught malaria and returned home before Marine forces advanced further in the Pacific campaign. He died in 1998, in New Smyrna Beach, FL. He is survived by 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.