During World War II, U.S. Navy commissioned several types of motor torpedo boats. These were commonly called MTBs. They were often built from aircraft engines and were first used in the British and Canadian Royal Navies. The U.S. Navy also commissioned patrol torpedo boats, PT boats, which was the kind of craft the future President John F. Kennedy served on during World War II. These boats were staffed by Navy crew members trained to navigate these smaller, faster craft in shallow waters and in often highly dangerous conditions.

Green County Seaman First Class, Glen Rice, served as a crew member on MTB-177 during World War II.

Glen Clifford Rice was born on August 8, 1925 in Green County, Wisconsin to Troy and Mary Ellen (Moyer) Rice.

From the 1930 U.S. Census, the Rice family lived in Juda, Jefferson Township in Green County. The household includes father Troy, mother Mary, and children Troy Jr., Harriet, Esther, Edwin, Glen, daughter-in-law Cora and granddaughter Vivian. Father Troy and son Troy Jr. were laborers at odd jobs. Daughter-in-law Cora was a telephone operator in an office. 

From the 1940 U.S. Census, the Rice family lived in the same house. The household included father Troy, mother Mary, and children Edwin, and Glen. Father Troy was a laborer in a WPA Sewer project.

On August 9, 1943, Glen Clifford Rice registered from the WWII draft in Juda in Green County, where he resided. He was 18 years old and was unemployed.

Rice enlisted for service in the U.S. Naval Reserves on November 26, 1944.

From the June 9, 1945 The Capital Times article titled “Glen Rice Dies In Pacific Action,” the article stated “Glenn Rice, 19, seaman second class, son of Mr. and Mrs. Troy Rice, has been killed in action in the Pacific area. A telegram from Admiral Randell Jacobs, received Friday, informed his parents of the death and said that the body was buried in an allied cemetery on an island in the Pacific. The date of death was not given.

Surviving are his parents; three sisters, Bernice of Zion, Ill.; Hattie Rice of Beloit, and Mrs. Ben Rosa of Monroe. A brother, Edwin, is in service at Ft. Dearborn, Mich., after having served with the army in the Pacific for three and a half years. He returned to the United States about six months ago.”

From the July 5, 1945 Monroe Evening Times titled “Memorial Service Scheduled Sunday for S1-C Glen Rice,” the article stated “Memorial services for Glen Rice, S 1/c, who was killed in action in the south Pacific May 21, 1945, will be held …

Rice, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Troy Rice, Juda, had been in the service only a short time before going overseas. Letters to the family told that he was killed instantly at his battle station in action against the enemy...”

From the June 1, 1948 The Capital Times (Madison, Wisc.) article titled “Return Bodies of 32 City, Area War Dead- War II Heroes Returned From Pacific Theater,” the article stated “The bodies of six Madisonians and 26 persons from the Madison area who lost their lives during World War II are being returned from Manilla aboard the United States army transport Lieutenant W. G. Boyce, the department of the army announced today.

The bodies are among 4,459 Americans originally interred in temporary military cemeteries in New Guinea and the Philippine islands. The army stated that each next of kin would be notified in advance of the arrival of the vessel.” The list included Glen C. Rice, Juda.

Rice was repatriated and reburied in Mount Vernon Cemetery in Juda in 1948.

Thank you, Seaman First Class Glen Clifford Rice, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.