Richard Stephen Ritchie US Air Force officer Date of Birth: 25.06.1942 Country: USA

Biographical information about Richard Stephen Ritchie
Richard Stephen Ritchie was a highly decorated officer in the United States Air Force who served during the Vietnam War. He was born in Reidsville, North Carolina and had no aspirations to become a pilot during his childhood and youth. However, he excelled as a football player in school. Eventually, Ritchie joined the United States Air Force Academy and graduated in 1964, ranking first in his class in flight training.

Military Career
After becoming a fully qualified pilot, Ritchie flew the F-104 "Starfighter" interceptor and later the F-4 "Phantom" II fighter. He served his first tour in Southeast Asia in 1968 as a forward air controller, but did not engage in any combat with North Vietnamese aircraft. In 1970-1972, Ritchie taught air combat tactics at the United States Fighter Weapons School. In 1972, he volunteered for a second tour in Southeast Asia and served in the 555th Fighter Squadron of the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, based in Ubon, Thailand. The squadron's F-4D aircraft were equipped with the "Combat Tree" system, allowing pilots to identify enemy aircraft beyond visual range. Ritchie scored his first victory on May 10, followed by additional victories on May 31 and July 8. His final victory came on August 28, making him the only U.S. Air Force pilot in Vietnam to achieve ace status.

Post-Military Life
Ritchie flew a total of 339 combat missions during his two tours in Vietnam. In the 1970s, he unsuccessfully ran for Congress as a Republican. Despite the political setback, Ritchie transitioned into civilian life while continuing to serve in the Colorado Air National Guard. He retired from the military in 1999 with the rank of brigadier general. Currently, he resides in Colorado Springs. Throughout his career, Ritchie accumulated over 3,000 flight hours and received numerous medals, including the Air Force Cross, the Silver Star with three oak leaf clusters, and the Distinguished Flying Cross with nine oak leaf clusters.