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Ralph
Louis
Shifley
October 26, 1910

–

January 5, 1995

Ralph Shifley graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1933. He retired as a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Regiment:

    Air Group 8 (AG-8)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17)

    Action Date:

    October 10 – 22, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Ralph Louis Shifley (NSN: 0-72375/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commander Air Group EIGHT and as Pilot of a Fighter Plane, attached to the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Nansei Shoto, Formosa and Philippine Islands Areas, from 10 to 22 October 1944. Acting as Task Group target coordinator during strikes against enemy aircraft, installations and shipping, Commander Shifley skillfully directed the attacks, assigning and changing targets as the situation required. In addition, he personally shot down one hostile fighter, destroyed another on the ground, bombed and severely damaged a medium cargo ship, and strafed a destroyer escort. By his leadership, skill as an airman and devotion to duty, Commander Shifley contributed materially to the success of his squadron’s mission and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Batallion:

    Fighting Squadron 8 (VF-8)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17)

    Action Date:

    July 27 – September 8, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Ralph Louis Shifley (NSN: 0-72375/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron EIGHT (VF-8), attached to the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima and Chichi Jima and in the Palau Islands from 27 July to 8 September 1944. Completing his twentieth mission during this period, Commander Shifley led bombing and strafing attacks thereby contributing materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of damage upon the enemy. His skilled airmanship and courageous devotion to duty in the face of anti-aircraft fire were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Regiment:

    Air Group 8 (AG-8)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17)

    Action Date:

    September 9 – 24, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander Ralph Louis Shifley (NSN: 0-72375/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Task Force Target Evaluator and Task Group Strike Leader, attached to Air Group EIGHT, operating from the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Philippine Islands Area from 9 September to 24 September 1944. By capable and efficient planning while over the target, Commander Shifley organized his forces and assigned targets to destroy or damage large numbers of enemy aircraft and numerous ground installations, and to inflict extremely heavy shipping losses upon the enemy. On 21 September, he personally attacked and shot down one enemy plane and damaged another. His courage, ability and leadership were a source of inspiration to the officers and men under his command and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    June 1963 – August 1967

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Ralph Louis Shifley (NSN: 0-72375/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from June 1963 to August 1967 as Vice Chief of Naval Material. Through his outstanding professional competence, effective leadership, and devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Shifley was instrumental in the development and implementation of concepts and organization necessary for the establishment of a truly integrated Naval Material support system fully responsive to the complex material acquisition and support needs of the Navy and Marine Corps. His accomplishments in the creation and development of the Naval Material Command have immeasurably contributed to the improvement of the material readiness of the Naval Service. By his dynamic and exemplary performance of duty, Rear Admiral Shifley upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Vice Admiral

    Action Date:

    September 1967 – February 1971
    Commander Fast Carrier Task Force: Serial 0279 (August 3, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Ralph Louis Shifley (NSN: 0-72375/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Logistics) from September 1967 to February 1971. An especially vigorous support of SEALIFT as a vital element of air power, Vice Admiral Shifley promoted many innovations to improve the effectiveness of the SEALIFT forces of the future, such as inter-modal transportation systems, containerization and development and acquisition of multi-purpose cargo ships. He reorganized the ammunition reporting system of the Navy to improve control over acquisition, distribution and expenditure of ammunition. The improved reporting system appreciably increased timeliness and accuracy, thereby enhancing the readiness posture of the Navy, particularly of those forces engaged in conflict in Southeast Asia. As Chairman of the Military Construction Review Board, Vice Admiral Shifley established and monitored a priority system to insure that limited military construction funds were applied to those projects which made the most meaningful contribution to overall Navy objectives. Concurrently, he was successful in obtaining additional family housing units, thus improving the critical housing situation for naval personnel., and in advancing the Navy Distillate Fuel Program which promises to result in cleaner ships, in reduced maintenance expenditures, and in minimized detrimental effect on the environment. As representative of the Chief of Naval Operations on the Military Logistics Council, the Logistics Systems Policy Committee and other important boards and committees, Vice Admiral Shifley expertly stated and supported Naval policy on logistic matters, and was esteemed by his counterparts in the other services who frequently sought his guidance and counsel. Through his dynamic leadership, sound judgment and dedication, Vice Admiral Shifley materially enhanced the management of the Navy’s logistic programs and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Regiment:

    Air Group 8 (AG-8)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17)

    Action Date:

    June 20, 1944
    Commander Fast Carrier Task Force: Serial 0279 (August 3, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Ralph Louis Shifley (NSN: 0-72375/1310), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Commanding Officer of Air Group EIGHT (AG-8), attached to the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), in action on 20 June 1944, during an attack against the Japanese Fleet in the Mariana Islands during the First Battle of the Philippine Sea. Gallantly leading his strike group at extreme combat radius to attack major hostile Fleet units, Commander Shifley pressed to within point-blank range of his targets in bold defiance of fierce fighter opposition and intense anti-aircraft fire from guns of all calibers including Japanese battleship and cruiser main battery fire, directing his group in a closely times and well coordinated strike to inflict extensive and costly damage to hostile warships and at the same time, flying through the intense shellfire to obtain valuable photographs of the fierce action. Exerting every effort to protect aircraft of his group from enemy air attack during the engagement, he valiantly led his two-plane section against seven Japanese fighters and, striking furiously despite the tremendous odds, succeeded in blasting one from the sky, in probably destroying another and in damaging a third. An inspiring leader and brilliant airman, Commander Shifley contributed materially to the success of this decisive action, and his courageous devotion to duty throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander [then Lieutenant Commander]

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 8 (VB-8)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Bunker Hill (CV-17)

    Action Date:

    March & April 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Ralph Louis Shifley (NSN: 0-72375/1310), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer of Bombing Squadron EIGHT (VB-8), attached to the U.S.S. BUNKER HILL (CV-17), and Pilot of a dive bomber during operations against enemy Japanese shipping and shore installations at Palau, Woleai, Hollandia and Truk Islands, in March and April 1944. Fearlessly leading numerous bombing and strafing missions through heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Commander Shifley inflicted extensive damage on enemy war and merchant vessels, grounded aircraft, hangars, runways, fuel dumps, buildings and gun positions. By his superb airmanship and gallant performance of duty throughout, Command Shifley inspired the members of his Squadron to an exceptionally high degree of achievement and reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.