Richard Ritchie Graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Class of 1964. During his flying career he became one of the Vietnam War’s THREE ACEs, one of two USAF Aces of the Vietnam War, and one of two U.S. Air Force Academy graduates to become an Air ACE. He retired in 1999 as an Air Force Reserve Brigadier General.
Sponsored by:
Richard
Stephen
Ritchie
June 25, 1942
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
555th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
May 10, 1972
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Richard Stephen Ritchie, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-4D Pilot with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia, on 10 May 1972. On that date Captain Ritchie destroyed an enemy MiG-21 in aerial combat. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Ritchie has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
555th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Richard Stephen Ritchie, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-4 Forward Air Controller with the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, in 1968; and subsequently as an F-4D Pilot with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia in 1972. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Ritchie has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
555th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Captain Richard Stephen Ritchie, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-4D Pilot with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia, on 8 July 1972. On that date Captain Ritchie destroyed two enemy MiG-21s in aerial combat. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Ritchie has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
480th & 555th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Richard Stephen Ritchie, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Pilot with the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam, and later with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Ritchie reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
555th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain Richard Stephen Ritchie, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-4D Pilot with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia, on 31 May 1972. On that date Captain Ritchie destroyed an enemy MiG-21 in aerial combat. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Ritchie has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
480th & 555th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of an Eighth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Richard Stephen Ritchie, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Pilot with the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam, and later with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Ritchie reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
480th & 555th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Richard Stephen Ritchie, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Pilot with the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam, and later with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Ritchie reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Richard Stephen Ritchie, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ritchie culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
480th & 555th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Richard Stephen Ritchie, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Pilot with the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam, and later with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Ritchie reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
480th & 555th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Richard Stephen Ritchie, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Pilot with the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron, DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam, and later with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Ritchie reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.