Background
Sergeant First Class Ralph E. Knerem, United States Army (10/19/1943 - 11/6/2020) was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Lyle and
Edith Knerem of Native American heritage. One of seven children, including Bill, Richard, Keith, Keary, and sisters Marie
and Nancy, he served in the Army from 1967-1967 during which time he completed three tours of service in Vietnam, later serving
three additional tours as a reservist through 1973.