Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Osmond
Jay
Ritland
1909

–

March 23, 1991

Born:

Berthoud

, 

Colorado

Home:

, 

Colorado

Buried: 

San Diego

, 

California

Cemetery:

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

After serving in the Army Air Forces in World War II, Osmond Ritland transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1965 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Osmond J. Ritland, United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ritland and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    April 1, 1961 – May 15, 1962
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. G-85 (September 22, 1962)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Major General Osmond Jay Ritland, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander of the Space Systems Division of the Air Force Systems Command from 1 April 1961 to 15 May 1962. General Ritland’s outstanding achievements furthered the aerospace capabilities of the United States in ballistic missile and space programs while Commander of the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Ritland and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Corps

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    1939 – 1944
    War Department General Orders No. 90 (1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Osmond J. Ritland, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a test pilot at Wright Field, Ohio, from 1939 to 1944. In this important assignment, Lieutenant Colonel Ritland was closely associated with and responsible for development of programs to carry out engineering, flight performance and functional testing of the majority of American aircraft altitudes during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Osmond J. Ritland, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ritland and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.