Ralph Maglione was commissioned in 1950 through the Aviation Cadet Program. From 1965 to 1967 he was commander/leader of the Air Force THUNDERBIRDS. He retired in 1977 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.
Sponsored by:
Ralph
John
Maglione
December 11, 1926
–
July 15, 1990
Born:
Akron
,
Ohio
Home:
Akron
,
Ohio
Buried:
Akron
,
Ohio
Cemetery:
Holy Cross Cemetery
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First Lieutenant [then Second Lieutenant]Action Date:
March 26, 1951
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 First Lieutenant [then Second Lieutenant] Ralph John Maglione (AFSN: 21535-A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 26 March 1951. As element leader of a flight of four F-84 type aircraft, Lieutenant Maglione displayed outstanding airmanship in sighting a group of enemy troops in a deep valley in the vicinity of Song-San-ri, Korea. Lieutenant Maglione took the flight in on the target and marked the target with one of his napalm bombs which hit directly in the middle of a group of approximately fifteen enemy troops. Due to the extremely adverse weather conditions existing that day, it was necessary for the flight to climb from their target run up the side of a mountain and level off through a saddle back in order to make additional passes on the target. Despite heavy to moderate enemy ground fire, Lieutenant Maglione repeatedly led the flight in aggressive passes on the enemy troops and supplies which were camouflaged in a nearby village. As a result of these attacks, under the direction and leadership of Lieutenant Maglione, the flight was credited with fifty enemy troops definitely killed, and many more wounded, seven buildings destroyed, seven buildings damaged and no observations as to the number of vehicles destroyed as the buildings were afire. By his alertness, quick thinking and skill, Lieutenant Maglione has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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 John Maglione (AFSN: 21535-A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while participating in Operation POWER DRILL on 17 August 1955. On this date he was a member of a flight of twelve F-84F aircraft that accomplished the first successful non-stop mass flight of single engine jet fighter aircraft from England to Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas. The flight traveled a distance of 5,118 miles in 10 hours and 43 minutes, thus setting two new records in aviation. The flight utilized multiple in-flight refueling operations which required highly skilled pilot technique to insure successful completion of the mission. The hazards involved in this unprecedented and history-making flight demanded the finest precision flying exceptional aerial discipline, and through knowledge of the aircraft. The extraordinary flying skill, precise teamwork, sound judgment, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Maglione were determining factors in the success of this outstanding accomplishment. By successfully completing this extremely difficult operations, Captain Maglione has reflected the highest credit upon himself, the 27th Strategic Fighter Wing, the Strategic Air Command, and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
May 1, 1971 – September 21, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Ralph John Maglione (AFSN: 21535-A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 3525th Pilot Training Wing, Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, from 1 May 1971 to 21 September 1972. In this important assignment, the leadership, exemplary foresight and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by General Maglione resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of the Undergraduate Flying Training Program. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Maglione 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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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
August 10, 1968 – April 4, 1971
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Ralph John Maglione (AFSN: 21535-A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while assigned as Chief, House Liaison Office, Office of Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, from 10 August 1968 to 4 April 1971. In this assignment, the leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Colonel Maglione resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and furtherance of aerospace power. By virtue of his skillful presentations to Members of the House, Colonel Maglione conveyed a thorough appreciation of Air Force positions on key issues affecting national security and created an environment of public and Congressional understanding of the Air Force role in the national security structure. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Maglione 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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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
September 28, 1972 – June 3, 1974
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 Ralph John Maglione (AFSN: 21535-A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Maglione distinguished himself as Director of Personnel, Headquarters Military Assistance Command Vietnam, and Deputy Defense Attach, Headquarters United States Defense Attach Office, Saigon, Republic of Vietnam, from 28 September 1972 to 3 June 1974. As Director of Personnel, he was the key figure in the withdrawal of United States forces from Vietnam; concurrently, he was instrumental in causing the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces to emerge from the Easter 1972 offensive with a higher personnel strength than when it began. As Deputy Defense Attach, he provided leadership and direction that enable the United States Mission to provide timely and effective technical assistance to the Vietnamese Government and its Armed Forces. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Maglione 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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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantRegiment:
21st Infantry RegimentDivision:
24th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
May 27, 1951
Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 413 (June 1, 1951)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to First Lieutenant Ralph John Maglione (AFSN: 21535-A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action as a Tactical Air Controller of the 27th Fighter Escort Wing, 522d Fighter Escort Squadron, Far Eastern Air Force, attached to the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division in action in the vicinity of Sanghong-jong-ni, Korea on 27 May 1951. During an attack by an estimated 1500 enemy force, Lieutenant Maglione voluntarily took command of a small group of men and led them in a counter-attack up a ridge, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy and taking many of them prisoner. Although unfamiliar with small unit infantry tactics, he led and employed his men in such a manner as to keep their losses very low, encouraging and inspiring them to a superior performance during the fight. His sound judgment, his reckless exposure to a numerically superior enemy and his willingness to risk death several times, when it would have been more prudent to shoot instead of talking the enemy into giving up the fight, inspired his men to greater efforts and earned him the solid respect of all who were near him during the battle. Though wounded while arranging the surrender of approximately 150 prisoners, he directed them to crawl down a stream bed leading them to safety. He then made his way to a tank and directed fire upon the enemy until they fled in disorder. He then accompanied a squad from another regiment to where some enemy were hiding, pointing out positions for them to engage. Only when he was ordered back to the command post area did he seek medical treatment for his wound. During the action, the enemy suffered over 325 known killed, over 400 wounded and several hundred taken prisoner. Lieutenant Maglione’s outstanding courage against an overwhelming enemy force, in the face of the withering fire he was subjected to and his adept direction of the men who were with him were greatly responsible for the heavy losses sustained by the enemy. His gallant actions reflect the greatest credit on himself and the United States Air Force.