Ralph Rosen was born on July 27, 1919, in Chicago, Illinois. He had already received his private pilot's license and was attending the University of Chicago when he enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Navy on January 13, 1942. Rosen went on active duty to begin flight training on July 16, 1942, and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and designated a Naval Aviator at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, in February 1943. Ensign Rosen joined VF-8 as an F6F Hellcat pilot at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, in March 1943, and deployed with his unit aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) in the Pacific Theater from March to October 1944. During this time he was credited with the destruction of 6 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, plus 1 probable, 8 destroyed on the ground while strafing enemy airfields, and one troop transport sunk. LT Rosen remained with VF-8 at NAS Alameda, California, and deployed to Saipan, but the war ended before they re-entered combat. He served as an instructor pilot at NAS Glenview, Illinois, from November 1945 to February 1947, and then as a test pilot with VX-2 at NAS Atlantic City, New Jersey, from February 1947 to July 1949. His next assignment was with Naval Supply Systems Command Global Logistics Support from August 1949 to May 1950, followed by service with the Naval Air Material Center from June 1950 to January 1951. He attended Combat Information Center School at NAS Glenview from February to October 1951, and then served at Fort Bliss, Texas, from November 1951 to July 1952. CDR Rosen returned to VX-2 as a test pilot from July 1952 to July 1954, and then served with the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon from July 1954 to July 1957. His next assignment was with VF-124 and then VF-121 from July 1957 to January 1959, followed by service aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-60) from January 1959 to June 1960. He served with VT-25 from June 1960 to July 1961, and then served as Commanding Officer of VT-25 from July 1961 to July 1962. His next assignment was with Military Assistance Advisory Group Spain from September 1962 to August 1966, and then on the staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon from September 1966 to January 1969. After completing his bachelor's degree at St. Benedicts College in Atchison, Kansas, Capt Rosen served on the U.S. Element to the Central Treaty Organization in Turkey from June 1969 to August 1971. He next served at the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center at Albany, New York, from August 1971 until his retirement from the Navy on July 1, 1973. After leaving active duty, Rosen served 8 terms in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, retiring in 2006. Ralph Rosen Flew West on May 11, 2010, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

His 1st Distinguished Flying Cross Citation reads:

For heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane, in Fighting Squadron EIGHT, attached to the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Formosa on October 12, 1944. Penetrating enemy territory to participate in a daring fighter sweep against Japanese installations and aircraft, Lieutenant (then Lieutenant, Junior Grade,) Rosen struck furiously at his targets and shot down three hostile aircraft. His fighting spirit, skill and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Rosen and the United States Naval Service.