Sergeant Pete Ruby

Sergeant Pete Ruby enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 at the age of 21, ready to serve his country alongside his six brothers in the spirit of courage and duty. He was sent to Fort Hamilton, New York, where he was assigned to a landing ship responsible for transporting troops and supplies. Pete participated in the intense invasions of Sicily and Anzio, Italy, facing danger as he offloaded men and equipment under fire to support the Allied operations.

One memory stayed with him: during the invasion of Anzio, a German aircraft approached his ship, seemingly preparing to strafe it. At the last moment, the plane flew low over the ship, revealing it had run out of ammunition. In an unexpected gesture, the German pilot saluted Pete from the cockpit as he passed.

Pete’s service exemplified the dedication shared by the seven sons of Johannes Ruby, who all joined different branches, including the California Army National Guard, the U.S. Army, and the Military Police, with six of them serving overseas at the same time. Each brother faced the realities of war with resilience, united in their commitment to protect the freedoms their family valued.