Last FIGHTER ACE in U.S. History on HOW TO KILL MiGs | Steve Ritchie
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- čas přidán 19. 12. 2022
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Brigadier General Steve Ritchie is one of only two pilot aces to emerge from the entire Vietnam War, and the only Air Force pilot ace since the Korean War. He is also the only American pilot in history to shoot down five enemy MiGs.
Ritchie would fly 339 combat missions totaling over 800 flying hours. He is amongst the most decorated Americans in history. His awards include the Air Force Cross, four Silver Stars, 10 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 26 Air Medals.
Interview recorded on August 31, 2022
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Love the channel
Greg, please don't allow established titles or kamikoto knifes to sponsor this channel. They are scam companies.
@@timf2279 Sadly they need money to keep doing this because CZcams is not helping much
@@WillieCuz understandable, however I wouldn't sell my integrity to do so.
@@timf2279he has no control over this
Captain Richie, as I knew him. I thank you for your kind words and praise of Bob and Roger. I was their crew chief for all 3 of their MIG kill in 1972. I lost my pilot, WSO (for 23 days) and my aircraft that day. That days events haunts me to this day.
We probably met. I was an electrician in 432nd Field Maintenance. I had lunch one day at the Redwood Inn with Capt. Ritchie. I was at udorn until June 73.
So you were triple nickel? Would love to connect you w my dad if so
I’m a retired USAF fighter pilot, and the entire fighter community, including me, has nothing but respect for BGen. Steve Ritchie. He is the last AMERICAN fighter pilot to achieve the much respected and honored status of “Ace”. He is not the “Last Fighter Ace in History”. Everyone who will read this please do not jump on me for stating this correction. It by no means is intended to question to valor and superb flying skill of General Ritchie. He will be the first to tell you he is not the last ace. Steve scored his last victory, I believe in 1972. I know for sure that BGen. Giora Epstein, IAF, 17 victory ace, scored his last victory on 24 October 1973. There are probably a few other aces after Gen. Epstein that I’m not aware of. Not nit pickin’, just sayin’.
Bless you and all veterans, thank you.
Thank you for your service. I have a dear friend who was a fighter pilot in Vietnam. His name was Lyle Prouse.
Just like Bud Anderson is the current Ace of Aces still living. Dick Bong was the Ace of Aces, however the American Ace of Aces. It should be clear to most people that with 40 kills Bong was not the all time Ace just the American. Richie will be the American Aces of Aces most likely.
Perhaps the publisher of this video changed the title since your post, but the title does not say, "last fighter ace in history", but rather, "last U.S. fighter ace in history". In view of the fact that there has not been a new U.S. fighter ace since General Ritchie, it logically follows that General Ritchie is, in fact, the last U.S. fighter ace in history. Not nitpicking. Just saying.
@@scudfarcus4343 Roger. I read you…but the way things are going…Ukraine, Taiwan, Iran who is to say he will remain the last. Just sayin’
General Ritchie and a F-4 Phantom. One of the most deadliest combinations in U.S. Air warfare history. It was an honor to listen to this Legendary Hero. God Bless General and Thank you.
Just to jump in here, however, I think Robin Olds would have racked up many more if he was unleashed, and not told he would rotate out if he had scored more. I feel his experience and skills were better than that of Ritchie. Robin transitioned well throughout the years and had a good bond with the F-4. We will never know of course but that's my opinion.
My dad was stationed in Ubon Thailand from 65 to 66 as a jet engine mechanic, he related to me that those F-4s would come back all shot up, he even had one return with barbed wire stuck between the wing and the pylon. Evidently the pilot had misjudged his flight path and actually "slapped" the ground with his plane and bounced back into the air and flew off.
Later my dad was stationed at Zweibrucken AFB in Germany where he would take me with him to work on the weekends and would sit me in the cockpit of a F-4 while he did his work.
I REALLY wanted to be a pilot myself but was "shot down" by my parents because I would not meet the qualifications.
Hearing about Bob riding that plane in rather than risk capture, that is a really moving story. I hope he was recognized for the heroism he showed.
Bob earned 5 Silver Stars for his flag, still an AF record
@@nichille I know it's not much consolation for the family but I'm really glad he was recognized for what he did. Of course it's hard to know for sure but I bet he saved a lot of lives by avoiding capture.
Thanks for updating me on what happened.
Not really since pow were mostly released during that Time and they were at north Vietnam which he would have been sent it Hanoi then back to America like a literal col
@@KevinGonzalez-qx3tj He apparently believed he would have been tortured for the unique and sensitive information he had. He might even have been right. But it doesn't matter if he was right about that, what matters is he gave his life to preclude the possibility. I can't think of a more heroic act than a pilot choosing to sacrifice his life to ensure what he knew could not be used against his Conrad's, even though he didn't have to.
@@KevinGonzalez-qx3tj imagine thinking you know better
Back in 1998 or 99 I had the privilege of watching Brigadier General Ritchie fly the Collins Foundation's F-4D Phantom at an airshow in Scottsdale. AZ. It was an amazing experience.
General Ritchie, My Hero in Vietnam. along with Colonel Robin Olds,
That egg analogy was great!
I was in DaNang when the general was. IT WAS HELL.
This is a great and historic interview. I hope it stays on the internet forever.
Much respect.
Two USAF back-seaters (WSOs) and one USN back-seater (RIO) also attained "ace" status. Charles DeBellevue (Steve Ritchie's back-seater during four kills) is the leading American ace of the Vietnam War with six victories and Jeffrey Feinstein, flying with different pilots, got five kills. In addition, Navy RIO William Driscoll was Randy Cunningham's back-seater when they got five kills. In addition, there have been numerous aces in the various wars in the Middle East--Arab-Israeli and Iran-Iraq--many of them since the end of the Vietnam War.
in U.S. History, not world history.
@@Pbairsoftman Ritchie said in the history of air combat, a.k.a, world history.
There's probably aces in Ukraine right now too.
Richard Stephen Ritchie; General we loved you in "DogFights"!!
could listen to that man share his thoughts all day.... thank you very much for producing this video. Thank you
Brigadier General Steve Ritchie, for being you.
I could listen to the old timers all day long
These veterans’ videos are definitely worth watching. We can hear their own stories. Most of the WWII vets are gone, and the Viet Nam vets are late 60s to70s. These are the folks of our history and we need to listen to them.
i could listen to this guys stories forever
Me too
My grandfather was 18 years old a couple months away from graduating as a senior in high school whenever he was drafted into the US Navy. One day some Marine Corps Officers came aboard the ship he was on. They needed to select two men. Two guys out of all the sailors to join the Marine Corps , and join the infantry. They picked at random, and my grandfather happened to be one selected. He fought on the Island of Guam in World War 2, and after the Battle of Guam went to Iwo Jima (after most of the fighting was over with) To help get American men back to shore to leave the Island of Iwo Jima. He carried a 20 round BAR. Browning Automatic Rifle. He told my older brother more detailed stories of his service in World War 2, and I wish when I was younger I had asked him more questions about his time in the US Military. I appreciate your service, and the service of every man, and woman who has fought to protect our country, and it's freedoms.
My uncle Rodney was Sergeant of his platoon in the Vietnam War. He led his men into combat. Also a tunnel rat. Carried a .45 caliber pistol, and a flashlight into Vietnamese tunnel systems to disarm shrapnel, explosives, traps, and to kill Vietnamese soldiers. He ended his service in the war with 2-3 Purple Hearts, 1 Bronze Star, 1 Silver Star, Marksman badge, and a couple other medals.
A genuine badass and one fine American, your grandfather, when men were men. I'm sure you have some or all of his qualities. Carry forward.
Wow! GEN Ritchie is incredibly articulate and makes fighter jets and air combat concepts accessible to non-aviators. His stories his delivery of them are gripping like a great book. THANK YOU for sharing this interview!
Was stationed at Udorn’74-‘75 and saw his F4D many times there with the 5 red stars painted on the engine intake. The 432nd CES Barrier Alert caught many of the F4s in our Aircraft arresting barriers while at Udorn.
My dad was at Udorn in 73. He was an air traffic controller in the 621 tactical control squadron. He brought home many pictures of F-4Ds parked, taking off, and landing. He said the F-4 going full blower on takeoff was the loudest thing he had ever heard before or since. I can't wait to get a hold of the Phantom in DCS World lol. It is my favorite jet of all time. He has many pictures from off base too. Thanks for serving!
Thank you for your service sir, and I'm deeply sorry for you having to experience that horrible war.
This was a golden find, I just sat back and soaked it all in... I have nothing but respect for this man. (and a healthy slice of fear)
I'm not sure what it's worth or if anyone cares but I'm an English guy in my early twenties, my point being there's more "gen z" interested in this stuff than many people may guess.
God bless this man, and may God have mercy on the souls of his enemies.
Was at Udorn when B/G Ritchie was shooting down MiGs left and right - to do that he had to go up North A LOT which some didn't really want to do! A great fighter pilot!
Great interview. His story is amazing. Thank you for your service.
His f4 is I believe still on display at the Air Force Academy cadet terrazzo area. On the corner, near Mitchell hall. I marched past it hundreds of times.😊
Brilliant interview! I love his explanation of the egg battle space. I understood it all but that was a beautiful way of explaining it
I like that Triple Nickel charm on his necklace.
Thank you for sharing your experiences along with your courage,sacrifice and service 🇺🇸❤️
Was a pleasure to watch your story , and to get a small insight to what you did.
Thankyou.
Thank you for your service!
In all fairness to history, the combined US air forces in Vietnam were shocked at the skill and improvisation of the enemy who gave them all the fight they could handle.
I really enjoy these interviews... Takes me back to listening to the tales of the men that I admired most in my life.. My father, my uncles, cousins and the various mentors when I was a young man.. ( 50+ now ) I wouldn't be here today, if such men were not in my life growing up... I learned a lot, from many American Heroes, it is a blessing to have had them in my life.
The first time I heard about the “flying in a big egg” concept was from WW2 Luftwaffe fighter aces Gunther Rall and Johannes Steinhoff .
Amazing story
Gen. Richie, thank you for your service. I could listen to you for hours. It was a privilege to watch this video. Your explanation, and use, of the “egg” was as brilliant of an offensive weapon as the “Red Baron”s” use of the sun at his “6” against his enemies. Sir, you are a hero! God bless you!
I am a veteran that worked ECM on B-52s and A-10s.
Welcome home sir..
Thank you for your service
Excellent interview thank you!
Very interesting. Love to hear these stories. Thanks for sharing
Great story. Thanks to all our Veterans who served. Semper Fi.
Way to go General. I'm proud of your accomplishments and you live to tell and pass your experiences on to other pilots so thank you. You are a war hero.
Thank you for your service, sir. I salute you with my heart.
Thank you for your service!! You earned the highest Honor of “ACE”. Congratulations! Stay well!!
Hi buddy great video it must of been very hard to fly a jet and survive in combat. Thank you for sharing mate. Cheers Gary 🇬🇧
There is an F-4 on display in Kansas at a museum in Topeka that Gen. Ritchie got one of his kills in. Pretty surreal to walk around and touch that jet knowing it’s history. His backseater Larry Pettit has this jet on display and another on display at a museum just down the street that got another MiG kill. Crazy the two jets ended up less than a mile from each other. I also went and saw the Collings Foundation F-4…..Didn’t know Gen Ritchie flew that one as well.
I found this video to be very instructive!
Mr. Ritchie, Sir, thank you for sharing your story/history with us. Your service to our country was so incredible. There are still many Americans that have not and will not forget the sacrifices that you and the other brave pilots made in Vietnam.
Service to who exactly? Sacrifices for what?
ah yes the brave pilots bombing women and children xD
@@Iron936 Go play in the traffic baby!!!
5:14 this is about to take my warthunder game to the next level bro. As soon as he said it’s an egg shape it clicked. Unironically
One of Steve's F-4s that he got a kill in is on display in Topeka, KS at the Air National Guard Museum.
I was able to hear Ritchie speak to us Avionics students at Lowry AFB back in 1977. Heard all his "kill" stories from the man himself.
1984 Lowry AFB Munitions Maintenance We got to hear his exploits and I was in awe.
Superb, what a great pilot and person!
He was Great on History Channel Series "Dogfights" Glad I Got It on DVD.
I Honor you for your service, and your dedication to our way of life.
Outstanding
Love the channel
I love it, when he told us he first arrived in Nam on April fools day you can see him reliving that special day in his head all over again
Thank You so much for your service Dear American Sir.😊😇🥰😍🤗❤🤍💙💪🙏👍
🎨 painted this 🖼️. Extremely well described. 👏🏽
Wow what an incredible man and story!!
General, you are right to be proud. Thank you very much for your selfless sacrifice to our country. And thank you General for sharing your experiences with us . Gods speed sir.
Awesome story , thanks for you service and sacrifice General.
👍x💯 thank you for sharing your story I enjoyed listening
Great American. Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you sir.
This is a real man right here.
All of our aces are national treasures. Heroes.
He actually came and spoke at my high school in the late 80s. Very inspirational man. He didn’t get me to enlist in the Air Force though, marine here lol
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE SIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pilots like him is what made America great and whatever he gained by this experience is not enough... thank you sir.
Sir, a slight different perspective: the Universe did not pick you, you trained, you volunteered, you flew, you accomplished the mission. Highest respect, Sir!!
Sir, You are a Legend
Proud to have received my graduation certificate during NCO Academy from General Ritchie!
seems like a cool dude, this is someone you wanna have a beer with
He spoke at my UPT graduation, 9308 Columbus. Time is wearing us down.
Brilliant!....
This guy is awesome, I watched dogfights on history channel, he is a great story teller
Bob is my new hero. Beyond brave.
Legend
I was in the 33rd during the transition from F4 to F15. Yeah the F15 is all that but the F4 was the equivalent of the varsity football team getting off the bus and their cleats telling everyone, don’t mess with us.
Cunningham shot down five MiGs as well.
One the Mission General Richey is very proud of is the rescue of Col Roger Locher who for 23 days was on the run from the North Vietnam infantry after being shot down
Yeah, I know Danang. A lovely place. His description is spot on.
Triple Ace Robin Olds would have something to say about his claims here.
Robin Olds correctly forecast the crises at our Southern Border. He said: "If you can't secure your borders, your country won't last long." Robin Olds would not be a fan of Old Slow Liar Joe Biden.
The F-4 Phantom is the coolest damn thing ever to be made out of metal, change my mind.
P-51, F-14, F-18,,,, but if you’re old enough and have had the opportunity to see and hear those J79’s. Yeah it was a cool fighter.
The nose view photo of a F-4 Phantom is the most badass poster that one could have displayed on their “man-cave” wall! I had the privilege of working on A-10 Warthogs and just loved their nose view photos, but I must admit, the F-4 just looked “meaner!”
@@drbrown300 Thank you for your service.
@@Psyminds My brother in Christ, take a chill pill, it is a meme reference.
@@Psyminds oh calm down
Need more people in this world like him, people with these experiences
Roll with it!
I remember playing the best airplane jetfighter game called acecombat, you started off with just two or three planes the mig the was quick asf but the turns were horrible,the other plans could take a beating but it was so hard to bomb targets the f 4 I could do bomb runs,fight in the air,while taking a few aa bullets and kept ticking it was the ugliest plane out the bunch but the best,lead me into becoming a jet fighter nut, f4 really pushed the limits testament to the plane but more so to the pilots and the crew who maintained em and stacked em with weopanyry imo
What a beautifull aircraft. Wish I can see one of them with my own eyes someday.
I salute you sir.
Sgt p. usmc
Damn Steve's gotten old! I know we all get old, but the last pictures I had seen of him around 10 years ago he looked a lot younger.
I had the pleasure of meeting Gen Richie in 1999 at Nellie AFB during Red Flag. He actually was one of the nicest and most genuine person I’ve ever met. He told some really awesome stories and no one dared interrupt him as we were all hanging in his every word
So many try and compare the MiGs and the F4s side by side. It’s ridiculous. The F4s had to travel a great distance to get to target with enough fuel to get there and back. Carry weight like a bomber. Fight off the MiGs, and fly all the way back. The Migs? They didn’t need to full fuel. They didn’t need to carry huge amounts of bombs. And, due to all of this ,could be of greatly reduced weight and and hence small and maneuverable. The fact we did so well against the migs has always amazed me.
The heat and humidity...brings back memories! Not to mention the smell of the open sewers! Only two seasons...hot and wet and hot and dry!
Changing title to *"Last Fighter Pilot Ace in USAF History On How to Kill Migs"* would be more correct regards the WSO/RIO kills in Vietnam.
Respect to General Ritchie btw. Great interview
Proud man who deserves every accolade !!!!!!!!!
Super Nice…, living life at the edge…👍
It’s a Great Testament to the fact if you had a pilot who could Maneuver the Phantoms despite you always hearing that the phantoms wasn’t maneuverable , they where Deadly in The Phantom, And all of This was still Done Despite the Failure of the Beyond Visual Range ONLY Doctrine, and Missiles with a High Failure rate.
There's old pilots and there are bold pilots but there isn't any old bold pilots.
High Kudos 👍 A most interesting Account
Very nice! TY. The F104 as said, not as good a combat fighter. But much much much faster. Mach 2.
Every Vietnam vet I’ve heard speak talks about the smell and the heat first. Must have been horrible! Thank you sir for your service, fantastic story!
I knew a guy that was in the Marines. They lost his footlocker and he got it back a year later. It was full of Vietnamese mold.
May to December 1966, Vietnam. 12 Migs lost, 47 Fantoms lost