Joseph Ralston was commissioned in 1965 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program upon graduation from Miami University. He is a Command Pilot who flew 147 combat missions over Laos and North Vietnam, earning four Distinguished Flying Crosses during the Vietnam War. From March 1996 to April 2000, he served as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. he retired in 2003 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.
Sponsored by:
Joseph
W.
Ralston
November 4, 1943
–
Born:
Hopkinsville
,
Kentucky
Awards Received
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant GeneralAction Date:
June 1995 – February 1996
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Joseph W. Ralston, United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, from June 1995 to February 1996. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ralston 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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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
GeneralAction Date:
March 1996 – April 2000
Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Joseph W. Ralston, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from March 1996 to April 2000. The distinctive accomplishments of General Ralston reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Joseph W. Ralston, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from 1996 to 2000. General Ralston distinguished himself by his contributions to Allied Force air operations over Kosovo, Joint Guardian peacekeeping in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and disaster relief to victims of Hurricane Mitch. As Chairman of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council and Vice Chairman of the Defense Acquisition Board, General Ralston demonstrated his vision and involvement in the procurement and allocation of resources for future military operations. The distinctive accomplishments of General Ralston reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Joseph W. Ralston, 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 Ralston 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:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Joseph W. Ralston, United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-105 Wile Weasel Pilot of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia, in 1970. 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.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Joseph W. Ralston, 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 Ralston 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:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Joseph W. Ralston, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-105 Wile Weasel Pilot of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia, in 1970. 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.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Joseph W. Ralston, United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third 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 Ralston 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:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Joseph W. Ralston, United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-105 Wile Weasel Pilot of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia, in 1970. 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.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Joseph W. Ralston, United States Air Force, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-105 Wile Weasel Pilot of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in action over Southeast Asia, in 1970. 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.