Richard S. Ritchie
born June 25, 1942
Brigadier General Richard S. Ritchie
Nickname	Steve
Place of birth	Reidsville, North Carolina
Allegiance	U.S. Air Force
Years of service	1964-1999
Rank	Brigadier General
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Air Force Cross Silver Star (4) Distnguished Flying Cross (10) Air Medal (25) Mackay Trophy Jabara Award
Other work	Congressional candidate motivational speaker

Brigadier General Richard Stephen "Steve" Ritchie (born June 25, 1942 in Reidsville, North Carolina) was an officer in the United States Air Force and the Colorado Air National Guard, and a general officer in the Air Force Reserve. Ritchie was the only Air Force pilot to become an ace during the Vietnam War. June 25 is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 189 days remaining. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... June 25 is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 189 days remaining. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... Reidsville is a city located in Rockingham County, North Carolina. ... Aircraft of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and coalition counterparts stationed together at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, in southwest Asia, fly over the desert. ... The Colorado Air National Guard is based at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora. ... The Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) is a major command (MAJCOM) of the U.S. Air Force with its headquarters at Robins AFB, Georgia United States. ... For other uses, see Aviator (disambiguation). ... Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000...

Background

Ritchie was born in Reidsville, North Carolina, the son of an American Tobacco Company executive. He was a star quarterback for Reidsville High School, despite breaking his leg twice. In 1964, he graduated from the United States Air Force Academy, where, as a "walk-on", he became the starting halfback for the Falcons varsity football team in 1962 and 1963. The American Tobacco Company was founded in 1890 by J. B. Duke as a merger between a number of tobacco manufacturers including Allen and Ginter. ... Main article: Secondary education High school is a name used in some parts of the world, and particularly in North America, to describe the last segment of compulsory education. ... The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, (, ), is an institution for the undergraduate education of officers in the United States Air Force. ... The offensive team or offense in American football or Canadian football, is the team that begins a play from scrimmage in possession of the ball. ... 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar). ... 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ...

Ritchie was described by his peers as being a "jock", and by General Robin Olds, who admired him greatly, as being "brilliant" but thinking himself "God's gift" (cocky and egotistical). According to one of the intelligence officers of the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ritchie was often lacking in self-discipline, with a personal trademark of using too much Old Spice cologne.^[1] Look up Jock, jock in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Robin Olds (born July 14, 1922) is a former American fighter pilot who served in the U.S. Air Force. ... Old Spice is a popular mens cologne or aftershave as well as the brand name for a line of related products. ... Coordinates: Time zone: CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) Administration Country: Germany State: North Rhine-Westphalia Administrative region: Cologne District: Urban district Mayor: Fritz Schramma (CDU) Basic Statistics Area: 405. ...

Professionally, Ritchie was a gifted and dedicated flyer who constantly maintained his skills by flying every two or three days. With consistently high performance evaluations, high scores in pilot training courses, and achieving a thorough understanding of the weapons systems he used, he earned opportunities to place himself in the forefront of USAF fighter pilots, where he became known for his "intelligent aggression".^[2]

Vietnam

Capt. Steve Ritchie, 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, pictured beside the aircraft in which he became the first Air Force ace of the Vietnam conflct.

Ritchie entered pilot training at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas, and finished first in his class. His first operational assignment was with Flight Test Operations at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where he flew the F-104 Starfighter. Two years later he transitioned into the F-4 Phantom II at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, in preparation for his first tour in Southeast Asia. Official language(s) English (de facto) See also languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 268,581 sq mi (695,622 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Eglin Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force that belongs to the Air Force Materiel Command; the Air Armament Center is the host unit. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 162 miles (260 km)  - Length 497 miles (800 km)  - % water 17. ... The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was the last of the day fighters, a high-performance supersonic interceptor aircraft capable of high speeds and climb rates. ... The F-4 Phantom II (simply F-4 Phantom after 1990) is a two-place (tandem), supersonic, long-range, all-weather fighter-bomber built by McDonnell Douglas Corporation. ... Homestead Air Force Base, located 22 miles SSW of Miami, Florida (25 29 31. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 162 miles (260 km)  - Length 497 miles (800 km)  - % water 17. ...

Assigned to the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam in 1968, Ritchie flew the first "Fast FAC" mission in the F-4 forward air controller program and was instrumental in the spread and success of the program. He completed 195 combat missions. Đà Nẵng International Airport (IATA: DAD, ICAO: VVDN) is located in Da Nang of central Vietnam. ... Official language Vietnamese Capital Saigon Last President Duong Van Minh Last Prime Minister Vu Van Mau Area  - Total  - % water 173,809 km² N/A Population  - Total  - Density 19,370,000 (1973 est. ... The F-4 Phantom II (simply F-4 Phantom after 1990) is a two-place (tandem), supersonic, long-range, all-weather fighter-bomber built by McDonnell Douglas Corporation. ... The forward air controller, a qualified individual, primarily provides terminal attack control of close air support in the vicinity of friendly forces, from the ground or air from a forward position on the battlefield. ...

In 1969, he was selected to attend the Fighter Weapons Course at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, then, at 26, became what at that time was the Air Force Fighter Weapons School's youngest-ever instructor. He taught air-to-air tactics from 1970 to 1972 to the best USAF pilots, including Major Robert Lodge, who later became his flight leader in Thailand and himself shot down three MiGs.^[3] For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ... Map showing the locations of Nellis AFB and the NAFR Nellis Air Force Base (IATA: LSV, ICAO: KLSV) is a United States Air Force base, located in Clark County, Nevada, on the northeast side of Las Vegas. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

Ritchie volunteered for a second combat tour in 1972 and was assigned to the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Udon RTAFB, Thailand. Flying F-4s with the famed 555th ("Triple Nickel") Tactical Fighter Squadron he shot down his first MiG-21 on 10 May 1972, scored a second victory on May 31, a third and fourth on July 8, and a fifth on August 28. All of the aircraft he shot down were Mig-21s, and all were shot down by the much-maligned AIM-7 Sparrow radar-guided air-to-air missile. Ritchie became the United States Air Force's first and only pilot ace of the Vietnam War.^[4] 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Udon Thani International Airport (IATA: UTP, ICAO: VTUD) is an airport located near the city of Udon Thani (อุดรธานี, also Udorn Thanee) in Eastern Thailand in Udon Thani province. ... The F-4 Phantom II (simply F-4 Phantom after 1990) is a two-place (tandem), supersonic, long-range, all-weather fighter-bomber built by McDonnell Douglas Corporation. ... Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. ... May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... May 31 is the 151st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (152nd in leap years), with 214 days remaining. ... July 8 is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 176 days remaining. ... August 28 is the 240th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (241st in leap years), with 125 days remaining. ... A RIM-7 Sea Sparrow being launched from the USS Essex (LHD-2). ... A US Navy VF-103 Jolly Rogers F-14 Tomcat fighter launches an AIM-54 Phoenix long-range air-to-air missile. ... Aircraft of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and coalition counterparts stationed together at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, in southwest Asia, fly over the desert. ... The Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, perhaps the most famous ace of all. ... Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000...

An advantage that the Triple Nickle pilots had over other US aircrews was that eight of their F-4D Phantoms had the top secret APX-80 electronic set installed, known by its code-name Combat Tree. Combat Tree could read the IFF signals of the transponders built into the MiGs so that North Vietnamese GCI radar could discriminate its aircraft from that of the Americans. Displayed on a scope in the WSO's cockpit, Combat Tree gave the Phantoms the ability to identify and locate MiGs when they were still beyond visual range. IFF, Iff or iff can stand for: Interchange File Format - a computer file format introduced by Electronic Arts Identification, friend or foe - a radio based identification system utilizing transponders iff - the mathematics concept if and only if International Flavors and Fragrances - a company producing flavors and fragrances International Freedom Foundation... A Cessna ARC RT-359A Transponder (the beige box) mounted beneath a Bendix/King KY197 VHF communication radio in a light airplane instrument panel A transponder is an electronic device that produces a response when it receives a radio-frequency interrogation. ...

Kills in May

Ritchie's flight on May 10, the first major day of air combat in Operation Linebacker, was one of two flights of the MiGCap for the morning strike force. The four Phantom crews, called Oyster flight, were all flying F-4Ds equipped with Combat Tree IFF interrogators. Combatants United States (U.S.) Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) Commanders John W. Vogt, Jr. ... Combat air patrol (CAP) is a type of defensive mission for fighter aircraft, in which they guard a designated site, either a fixed site on land, ships at sea, or less commonly support aircraft such as aerial tankers. ...

At 0942, forewarned 19 minutes earlier by the EC-121 "Disco" over Laos and then by "Red Crown", the US Navy radar picket ship USS Chicago, Oyster flight engaged an equal number of MiG-21s headon, scattering them. Ritchie, Oyster flight shot down two and nearly got the fourth, but fell victim to a MiG tactic dubbed "Kuban tactics" after those of the Soviet WWII ace Pokryshkin,^[5] in which a GCI-controlled flight of Mig-19s trailed so that they could be steered behind the American fighters manuevering to attack the MiG-21s. The highest scoring USAF MiG killer, leading Oyster flight, was shot down and killed, despite clumsy flying by the MiG-19's. Almost simultaneously Ritchie and Debellevue rolled into a firing position behind the remaining MiG-21 of the original 4 with a radar lock, launched two Sparrows and scored a kill with the second.^[6][7][8] The EC-121 Warning Star was a US Air Force/US Navy version of the Lockheed Constellation designed to serve as an airborne early warning system to supplement the Distant Early Warning Line. ... The third USS Chicago (CA-136) was laid down on 28 July 1943 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by the Philadelphia Navy Yard. ... Kuban (Russian: ) is a region of Russia surrounding the Kuban River, on the Black Sea between Ukraine and the Caucasus. ... The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 (NATO reporting name Farmer) is a third-generation Soviet, single-seater jet engined fighter aircraft. ...

On May 31, Ritchie's second kill involved a tactical ruse in which the MiGCAP flights used the radio call signs of another wing's chaff-deploying flights on a mission northeast oh Hanoi. The fighters crossed into North Vietnam from over the Gulf of Tonkin north of Haiphong, and were warned by Red Crown of MiG-21s 40 miles southwest of their position and headed towards them. Red Crown continued to call warnings, and when the MiGs were within 15 miles and to their rear, Ritchie began a descending turn towards them. He observed them above him to his left front and continued his left turn until he was behind and below the trailing MiG. His WSO, Capt. Lawrence Pettit, acquired a "full-system lock-on" and Ritchie ripple-fired all 4 AIM-7s he was carrying. The first went out of control to the right, the next two detonated early, but the last one struck the MiG in the cockpit and split its fuselage in two.^[9][10] May 31 is the 151st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (152nd in leap years), with 214 days remaining. ... Chaff is the seed casings and other inedible plant matter harvested with cereal grains such as wheat. ... A cockpit was a pit used for cockfighting, where owners would pit fighting birds against each other for the purpose of gambling. ...

July kills

USAF strike and chaff forces suffered a severe series of losses to MiGs between June 24 and July 5 (7 F-4s) without killing a MiG in return. As a counter-measure, Seventh Air Force added a second Disco EC-121 to its airborne radar coverage, positioning it over the Gulf of Tonkin. June 24 is the 175th day of the year (176th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 190 days remaining. ... July 5 is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 179 days remaining. ... The Seventh Air Force (7 AF) is a Numbered Air Force (NAF) under the Pacific Air Forces major command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force. ... The EC-121 Warning Star was a US Air Force/US Navy version of the Lockheed Constellation designed to serve as an airborne early warning system to supplement the Distant Early Warning Line. ... The Gulf of Tonkin is located to the east of Vietnam. ...

On July 8 Ritchie and DeBellevue were leading Paula flight, in gun-equipped F-4Es instead of the Combat Tree F-4Ds they usually flew, on a MiGCAP to cover the exit of the strike force. While they were west of Phu Tho and south of Yen Bai, the EC-121 vectored them to intercept MiG-21s returning to base after damaging one of the US chaff escorts. The MiGs were still aprproximately 4 miles away and Ritchie turned the flight south to cross the Black River. As they closed, Disco gave them warning that the MiG return had "merged" with the Paula flight's return on his screen. Ritchie reversed course, observed the first MiG at his 10 o'clock position and turned left to meet it headon. July 8 is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 176 days remaining. ... Phu Tho Province is a province in Vietnam. ... Yen Bai is a city in Vietnam. ... Black River is a common name for streams and communities around the world, as well as the Spanish and Portuguese translation for Rio Negro. ...

When Ritchie passed the first MiG-21, he recalled the engagement of May 10 and waited to see if there was a trailing MiG. When he observed the second MiG, which he also passed headon, he reversed hard left to engage. The Mig turned to its right to evade the attack, an unusual manuever, and Ritchie used a vertical separation move to gain position on its rear quarter. DeBellevue obtained a solid boresight (dogfighting) radar lock on it while at the MiG's 5 o'clock; although fired from the edge of their flight envelopes, both AIM-7s struck home. May 10 is the 130th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (131st in leap years). ... An aircrafts performance limits, specifically the curves of speed plotted against other variables to indicate the limits of speed, altitude, and acceleration that a particular aircraft can not safely exceed. ...

The first MiG had also turned back and was attacking the last F-4 in Ritchie's flight from behind, an often fatal consequence to US aircraft employing the then-standard "fluid four" tactical formation. Ritchie made a hard turn across the curving intercept of the MiG, again coming out at its 5 o'clock, and the MiG, apparently perceiving the threat, broke hard right and dove away. Ritchie fired an AIM-7 from inside its minimum range and at the limit of its capability to turn. Expecting the Sparrow to miss, he was trying to switch to a gun attack in the relatively unfamiliar F-4E he was flying that day when the missile exploded the MiG, 1 minute and 29 seconds after the first kill.^[10][11][12]

A competition to become the Air Force's first Vietnam ace developed between Ritchie and Capt. Jeffrey S. Feinstein of another of the 432nd's squadrons, the 13th TFS, who scored his 3rd and 4th kills on July 18 and July 29. Each had a claim denied by Seventh Air Force's Enemy Aircraft Claims Evaluation Board, Ritchie and Debellevue for a claim of a Mig-21 on June 13, and Feinstein for a claim June 9.^[10] Capt. ... July 18 is the 199th day (200th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 166 days remaining. ... July 29 is the 210th day (211th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 155 days remaining. ... June 13 is the 164th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (165th in leap years), with 201 days remaining. ... June 9 is the 160th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (161st in leap years), with 205 days remaining. ...

Fifth kill

Ritchie's final victory came while leading Buick flight, MiGCAP for a strike north of Hanoi. During the preceding month Seventh Air Force had instituted daily centralized mission debriefings of leaders and planners from all fighter wings called "Linebacker Conferences." ^[13] Ritchie had just started his flight of Combat Tree Phantoms on its return to base (Ritchie was flying F-4D 64-7463, in which he had scored his first kill). Red Crown, now the USS Long Beach, alerted the strike force to "Blue Bandits" (Mig-21s) 30 miles southwest of Hanoi, along the route back to Thailand. Approaching the area of the reported contact at 15,000 feet, Ritchie recalled recent Linebacker Conference information that MiGs had returned to using high altitude tactics and suspected the MiGs were high. Buick and Vega flights, both of the MiGCAP, flew toward the reported location.^[14] USS Long Beach (CGN-160/CLGN-160/CGN-9) was the first all-new cruiser designed and constructed after World War II (all others were completions or conversions of cruisers begun or completed during the war). ...

DeBellevue picked up the MiGs on the Phantom's onboard radar and using Combat Tree, discovered that the MiGs were ten miles behind Olds flight, another flight of MiGCAP fighters returning to base. Ritchie called in the contact to warn Olds flight. Ritchie, concerned that MiGs might be at an altitude above them, made continuous requests for altitude readings to both Disco and Red Crown. He received location, heading, and speed data on the MiGs (now determined to be returning north at high speed to their base) but not altitude as Buick flight closed to within 15 miles of the MiGs. DeBellevue's radar then painted the MiGs dead ahead at 25,000 feet, and Ritchie ordered the flight to light afterburners. DeBellevue warned Ritchie they were closing fast and were in range. About the same time Ritchie saw the MiGs himself headed in the opposite direction.^[15]

Attacking in a climbing curve behind the MiG-21's with his AIM-7 guidance radar locked on, Ritchie was given continuous range updates by DeBellevue. With his Phantom just barely making enough speed to overtake the targets, Ritchie launched two Sparrows from over four miles away. Fired under parameters out of the missiles' performance envelope in an attempt to influence the MiGs to turn, thus shortening the range, and both not only missed but failed to influence the opponents. Moments later, tracking one MiG visually by the contrail it was making, Ritchie fired his remaining two Sparrows, also at long range. The first missed, but the MiG made a hard turn and actually shortened the range, and was destroyed by the second.^[10][16] Short on fuel, Ritchie elected not to try to pursue the second MiG-21. Contrails are condensation trails (sometimes vapour trails): artificial cirrus clouds made by the exhaust of aircraft engines or wingtip vortices which precipitate a stream of tiny ice crystals in moist, frigid upper air. ...

Ritchie commented:^[17]

"My fifth MiG kill was an exact duplicate of a syllabus mission (at Fighter Weapons School), so I had not only flown that as a student, but had taught it probably a dozen times prior to actually doing it in combat."

MiG credits

SOURCE: United States Air Force in Southeast Asia: Aces and Aerial Victories - 1965-1973 on-line edition

Post-Vietnam War

After completing 339 combat missions totaling over 800 flying hours, Ritchie returned from his second combat tour as one of the most highly decorated pilots in the Vietnam War. His combat achievements earned him the 1972 Mackay Trophy for the most significant Air Force mission of the Year, the Air Force Academy's 1972 Jabara Award for airmanship, and the 1972 Armed Forces Award, presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for outstanding contributions to the national security of the United States. He retired from the Air Force in 1999. 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... The Mackay Trophy is an award given by the United States Air Force for the most meritorious flight of the year. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... The Jabara Award for Airmanship, named in memory of Colonel James Jabara, is awarded each year to the United States Air Force Academy graduate whose accomplishments demonstrate superior performance in fields directly involved with aerospace vehicles. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... The Veterans of Foreign Wars, or VFW, is an American organization whose members are current or former members of the U.S. armed forces. ...

A political conservative, Ritchie ran for Congress from North Carolina at the urging of U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater, but lost in the wake of the Watergate Scandal. He held various executive positions in private life, including six years at the Heritage Foundation where he was special assistant to Joseph Coors. Type Bicameralism Houses Senate House of Representatives United States Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D, since January 4, 2007 Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D, since January 4, 2007 Members 535 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political groups (as of November 7, 2006 elections) Democratic Party Republican... Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (901 km)  - % water 9. ... The United States Senate is the upper house of the U.S. Congress, smaller than the United States House of Representatives. ... Barry Morris Goldwater (January 1, 1909 – May 29, 1998[1]) was a five-term United States Senator from Arizona (1953–1965, 1969–87) and the Republican Partys nominee for President in the 1964 election. ... The term Watergate scandal refers to a 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. by members of the Richard Nixon administration and the resulting cover-up which led to the resignation of the President. ... The Heritage Foundation is a public policy research institute based in Washington, D.C., in the United States. ... Joseph Coors (November 12, 1917 – March 15, 2003), was the grandson of Adolph Coors and an heir to the Coors beer empire. ...

He joined the Colorado Air National Guard and continued his military duty while pursuing his civilian career. In 1985 he was appointed director of the Office of Child Support Enforcement, reporting to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. In 1987 he was assigned to the Mobilization Policy and Plans Directorate at the Office of the Secretary of Defense. The Colorado Air National Guard is based at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora. ... The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services is the head of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, concerned with The Secretary is a member of the Presidents Cabinet. ... ...

Promoted to brigadier general in 1994, he became mobilization assistant to the commander of Air Force Recruiting Service. For six years, he traveled across the United States, speaking to approximately 1,100 audiences in support of Air Force recruiting efforts. He also flew more than 100 air show performances in the T-38 Talon. He retired in January 1999, after flying in his last air show at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... The Northrop T-38 Talon is a US-built supersonic jet trainer for military pilots and NASA astronauts. ... Randolph Air Force Base (Randolph AFB) is a base of the United States Air Force located in Bexar County, Texas near San Antonio. ... Official language(s) English (de facto) See also languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 268,581 sq mi (695,622 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ...

He lives in Boulder, Colorado and works as a motivational speaker. The City of Boulder (, Mountain Time Zone) is a home rule municipality located in Boulder County, Colorado, United States. ...

Quote

The first time I ever saw an unlike airplane was a MiG-21 near Hanoi. In those days, we weren't allowed to train against dissimilar aircraft. They wouldn't let us train the way we were going to fight. Sometimes, I wasn't even allowed to fire back if fired upon.^[18]

Awards

  Command pilot WWII Pilot Command Badge File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... USAF aeronautical ratings are military aviation skill standards established and awarded by the United States Air Force for commissioned officers participating in aerial and space flight. ...

•    Air Force cross

•    Silver Star plus 3 oak leaf clusters

•    Distinguished Flying Cross, 9 oak leaf clusters

•    Air Medal, 25 awards

• Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device

•    National Defense Service Medal

•    Vietnam Service Medal

•    Air Force Longevity Service Award, 2 oak leaf clusters

•    Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon

• Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

The Air Force Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force. ... Silver Star Ribbon File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The Silver Star is the fourth highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces. ... Bronze and Silver oak leaf clusters An Oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on military awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The Distinguished Flying Cross. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States which was established by Executive Order 9158, signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, on May 11, 1942. ... Image File history File links Air_Force_Outstanding_Unit_Award_ribbon. ... The Outstanding Unit Award is a decoration of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1954. ... The Valor device, also known as V-device, V device, and Combat V, is an award of the United States military which is authorized by the military services as an attachment to certain awards and decorations. ... Image File history File links National_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon. ... The National Defense Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States military and was the brainchild of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. ... Image File history File links Vietnam_Service_Ribbon. ... Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal ribbon The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. ... The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a military decoration of the United States Air Force which was first issued in 1957 by order of General Thomas D. White, Air Force Chief of Staff. ... USAF Marksman Ribbon This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... U.S. Marksmanship Ribbons A Marksmanship Ribbon is an award of the United States Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard which is issued to service members who pass a weapons qualification course and achieve an above average score. ... The Vietnam Campaign Medal is a military award of South Vietnam which was established in 1966. ...

Reference

1. ^ John Darrell Sherwood (1999). "Chap. 6", Fast Movers: Jet Pilots and the Vietnam Experience. Free Press. ISBN 0312979622. , 217
2. ^ Sherwood, 217-219
3. ^ Sherwood, 219
4. ^ Capt. Charles B. DeBellevue, 555th TFS, and Capt. Jeffrey S. Feinstein, 13th TFS, became aces as weapon systems officers. 4 of DeBellevue's 6 kills occurred while flying with Ritchie.
5. ^ Marshall L. Michel (1997). Clashes: Air Combat Over North Vietnam 1965-1972. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1557505853. , 237
6. ^ Michel, 212
7. ^ Sherwood, 231-232
8. ^ Jeffrey Ethell and Alfred Price (1989). One Day in a Very Long War: May 10, 1972, Air Combat, North Vietnam. Random House, 141. ISBN 978-0517079348. , 55-61
9. ^ Michel, 232
10. ^ ^{a b c d} United States Air Force in Southeast Asia: Aces and Aerial Victories - 1965-1973. Air University. Retrieved on 15 Feb 2007., on-line book, p. 95-102
11. ^ Michel, 244
12. ^ Sherwood 245-246
13. ^ Michel, 255
14. ^ Sherwood, 247-250
15. ^ Lon Nordeen Jr. (1986). Air Warfare in the Missile Age. Smithsonian Institution. ISBN 0874746809. , 66
16. ^ Michel, 258
17. ^ Sherwood, 219
18. ^ Wall Street Journal editorial, 1999

Capt. ... The weapon systems officer or weapon systems operator (WSO, pronounced wizzo) is a flight officer aboard military aircraft (generally fighters or bombers), who is primarily responsible for the operation of the weapon systems in the aircraft. ... February 15 is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... – 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ...

Sources

• Ethell, Jeffrey, and Price, Alfred. (1989) One Day in a Very Long War: May 10, 1972, Air Combat, North Vietnam. Random House. ISBN 978-0517079348
• Sherwood, John D. (1999) Fast Movers: Jet Pilots and the Vietnam Experience. St. Martins Press. ISBN 0312979622
• Michel, Marshall L. (2004). Clashes: Air Combat Over North Vietnam 1965-1972, Naval Institute Press, ISBN 1557505853
• Nordeen, Lon, Jr. (1986) Air Warfare in the Missile Age, Smithsonian Institution. ISBN 0874746809
• Futrell, L. Frank, etal. (1976) United States Air Force in Southeast Asia: Aces and Aerial Victories - 1965-1973, Air University, Headquarters USAF, on-line edition
• USAF Fighter Weapons School, Project Red Baron III. (1974) Air-to-Air Encounters in Southeast Asia, Volume II, Part I.
• Air Force Link official bio