The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Ralph Sherman Parr (AFSN: 0-28206), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial combat against the enemies of the United Nations in Korea, on 7 June 1953, as pilot of an F-86 aircraft, 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force. On this day, Captain Parr was flying number four man in a four-ship flight deep within enemy-held territory when he sighted two enemy MiG’s far below his flight. Captain Parr saw that he was the only aircraft in the flight that had a tactical advantage on the enemy aircraft, and received permission from his element leader to attack the MiG’s. Captain Parr rolled over into a vicious diving attack and began firing on the MiG’s. During the battle, Captain Parr’s gunsight ceased to function, but without the gunsight Captain Parr still managed to destroy one of the MiGs and damage the other MiG. Captain Parr was then attacked by six more MiGs who had observed the battle. Captain Parr broke hard to the left as the lead MiG of the attacking force opened fire on him, and began a series of violent maneuvers to elude the attacking MiGs. The lead MiG tried to turn inside of Captain Parr on the initial break and in doing so lost control of his aircraft and was seen to snap and enter a spin near the ground. The MiG pilot ejected just before his aircraft hit the ground and exploded. Captain Parr was credited with the destruction of two MiGs and the damage of one MiG on this mission. This action is an example of the outstanding courage and exceptional flying and tactical abilities of Captain Parr, which brought great credit upon himself, the United Nations and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Ralph Sherman Parr (AFSN: 0-28206), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 10 June 1953, in aerial combat against enemies of the United Nations in Korea, as pilot of an F-86 aircraft, 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force. On this day, Captain Parr was flying in a flight of four F-86’s on a patrol deep within North Korea. As they neared the Yalu River, Captain Parr’s flight was attacked by a large force of MiG’s and split up into elements of two, but he and his wingman evaded the MiG’s in the break. Captain Parr then observed two more MiG’s heading for the Yalu River, using clouds for concealment. He and his wingman headed for them in a high speed dive. Captain Parr broke out of the clouds on the MiG’s at a very close range, and although he was having trouble controlling his aircraft due to the high speed, he nevertheless opened fire, placing a concentrated burst of fire into the MiG’s engine section. The MiG was observed to explode. Although Captain Parr’s aircraft sustained damage from parts of the enemy aircraft flying back, he was able to control his aircraft, and upon returning safely to his home base, was credited with the destruction of one MiG-15. This action is typical of the outstanding courage and exceptionally aggressive flying ability of Captain Parr, and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Ralph Sherman Parr (AFSN: 0-28206), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 19 June 1953, in aerial combat against enemies of the United Nations in Korea, as pilot of an F-86 aircraft, 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force. On this date, Captain Parr was leading a flight of four F-86’s flying protective cover for a slow flying reconnaissance aircraft when the RF-80 was attacked by an enemy MiG-15. As the MiG pulled up to fire on the unarmed RF-80, Captain Parr attacked the enemy MiG, and closing to 1,5009 feet, fired a long burst directly into the MiG’s fuselage. The MiG immediately caught fire, and just before it spun into the ground and crashed, the pilot was observed to eject. At this time another MiG-15 attacked the reconnaissance aircraft, and Captain Parr again initiated another vicious attack. He closed to 1,800 feet range and fired several bursts at the enemy aircraft, scoring multiple hits and causing the enemy to break off the attack on the RF-80. Captain Parr then escorted the reconnaissance aircraft to his remaining targets and back to friendly territory safely. Upon return to his home base, Captain Parr was officially credited with destroying one MiG-15 and damaging another. This action is another example of the outstanding flying ability and fearless courage of Captain Parr, and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.