Brig. Gen. Steve Ritchie and the Rescue of Roger Locher
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- čas přidán 23. 03. 2011
- Brig. Gen Steve Ritchie tells the amazing story of the rescue of downed pilot Roger Locher in Vietnam in 1972.
More: • Fighter Ace Steve Ritc...
Book Gen. Ritchie: www.generalsteveritchie.com/
In that same year Ritchie volunteered for his second tour in Southeast Asia and was assigned to the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Udorn, Thailand. Flying an F-4D with the famous 555th ("Triple Nickel") Tactical Fighter Squadron, he became the only Air Force jet ace by downing a MiG-21 on May 10, another on May 31, two on July 8 and his last on Aug. 28.
After completing 339 combat missions totaling more than 800 flying hours, Ritchie returned as one of the most highly decorated pilots of the war, having received the Air Force Cross, four Silver Stars, 10 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 25 Air Medals.
His combat expertise brought him the 1972 "Mackay Trophy" for the most significant Air Force mission of the year (along with Capts. Jeff Feinstein and Charles DeBellevue), the Air Force Academy's 1972 Colonel James Jabara Award for Airmanship, and the 1972 Armed Forces Award, presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In 1973 he was selected as one of the "Outstanding Young Men of America," and in 1974 he received the Eugene Zuckert Award from the Civil Air Patrol.
I was rescued from Laos by the Jolly Greens and flew over 400 missions as a Naval aviator from the decks of various carriers. Over 35 aircraft participated in my rescue. Navy and Air Force personnel flew cover over me all night long and an Army rescue team stood ready. The realization of that huge effort on my behalf is the most humbling experience of my life. When a fellow service man is in trouble, the branch of service doesn't matter to others.
Amazing story with a great closing thought!
"Protect and preserve an environment, a climate, a system, a way of life...where people can be free to reach their full potential."
I met Gen. Ritchie at an airshow and during a lull in the program I had a wonderful conversation with him. He is what you see on the videos...personable, articulate and very engaging. He represents the very best of our country's heros and I'll always treasure those moments I had with him.
I had the privilege to meet 3 Colonels who retired from the Soviet Army and had been air defense advisors to North Vietnam. They told us the thing they admired most, was our determination to retrieve our downed aircrews. They've helped us identify some of our MIAs so we can bring them home.
Proud to say I flew with Col Locher in F-16s. Amazing man!
Great experience you shared. I won't use the word "story" as this, to me, is much more. I left Udorn in August of 1971 so I did not get to meet Roger Lochner. I was a part of the triple nickel force on the ground, munitions. This experience that you shared makes me feel more proud of being a part of the "team"! Thank you so much for sharing!!
I am from Singapore... This man is a natural leader. A gem of a man.
Wow, Just wow!! Amen and thank you, General Ritchie!!
Olds Ritchie Stone etc. Legends. Much respect ❤
You must have been there to. Ubon 66 McDonnell Tech Rep.
There are a lot more.
Locher too
Thank You Sir. Proud to be an American.
General Richie Probably told this story 100 Times I have heard Variations on this story for years on various channels and it Never Gets Old Or Boring you just see that sparkle in his eyes and no doubt the Morale Boost thats why I never could understand some never understand why the entire war stops for one man or a group of men...They are All Brothers thats why Not War Buddies Or some other Almost A Brother too me No They Are Literally Brothers and now Sisters
Amen
I Lived across from Steve Ritchie while we were at Udorn in 1971-1972. Also, I was at the club that night when Roger entered. As Steve said, "It was a 20+ minute ovation." Now Roger is married to a former Photo Interpreter of the 14th, which we all knew. This was a huge story and a huge morale boost for all of us. Great story! Brings back spuer memories.
He certainly sums it up well!
I had the pleasure of knowing Steve Ritchie during his first tour in Vietnam when he was assigned to the 480th Tac Fighter Sqdn at Danang in late 68, and I was the 480th's Weapons Loading officer. We shared in common growing up in the same area of North Carolina. Roger Locher was assigned as a squadron commander in the 4450th Tac Group around 1986. I was the Deputy Group Commander of Maintenance and we were the outfit that was operating the F-117 Stealth Fighter in those early days under total secrecy. These two were great guys.
Thank you Gen. Vogt for your inspiring leadership, this is an awesome story told by an incredible USAF pilot.
My Grandpa was a senator in Oklahoma, and got a ride in the back of a Phantom with Gen. Ritchie.
A very cool guy.
Gen Steve Ritchie, Thank you. I salute you. I appriciate the reminder of "TEAM".
CWO3, USMC
Ret.
Very well spoken Steve! Thank you for you wonderful message. All the way from South Australia!
where people can be free to reach their full potential...AMEN to that! and my hats off to you sir!
Fantastic Rescue!!!!!
Many spent years in captivity and many never came back...glad you guys got your friend home that day......
AMEN!!! This story gave me goosebumps and made my eyes get very blurry. God Bless these men.
Amazing! After hearing this incredible story...and the lengths that our military will go to rescue their own...and as well as what this says about our military's commitment to this country! Interesting... Brig. Gen. Steve Ritchie didn't have a "teleprompter"...the genuineness of his speech was evident! God Bless him and all our Military!
I love listening to this guy. His voice is very calming.
Much respect Sir. Truth you speak.
What a great speaker and the end of the story is what is the most important.
I had a buddy save me and my tank gunner after our tank got blown up and we got left behind near the Dau Tiang Michelin Rubber Plantation. Two days later I brought him to a medevac. this was Aug 1968. I finally got to meet him again in 1996 at a cavalry reunion.
There were a LOT of heroic acts in Vietnam that nobody knows about and nobody cares.....except for those involved.
Yes; it's a shame that we don't know that they happened, though not as big as how we treated those men when they were coming home.
Everything Benghazi wasn't. The era when being American still meant something.
Great comment
Incredible acts of heroism by everyone involved!! God bless them for doing what needs to be done!
Awesome true story. I flew many times on the mighty MH-53 PAVE LOW in the 20SOS and lived a block away from BGen Dale Stovall for several years. Great guy and Hero for sure as are MANY of the H-53 Crews prior to that mission and that followed until the Aircraft was retired. Honored to have been an Aerial Gunner on these crews and to have flown with these incredible Warriors! Thanks for this story as this is the first time I have heard the details!
That is a great story. Great story that fills the heart with pride.
Wow--thank you from a [mostly] grateful nation! I commend ALL involved!!!!
To put one self at risk to save one of your own is amongst the bravest and most honorable things a human being can do. This story is inspiring. The thing is, there are many other stories similar to this, from all wars and from all generations. This is the essence of a patriot and an American. When I hear stories like this my chest swells with pride that I am an American. Ritchie is a hell of a man, as was General Vogt. 'Merrika, Fuck Yeah!!!!!
I served in Vietnam (Pleiku AB '69-70) We knew of Robin Olds as he was almost an ACE in '67 I think. Gen Ritchie served 2 tours in Vietnam theater. I agree that he is a speaker that grabs your attention. Thank God for warriors like him and Olds. This is a great man talking not of himself but of others and this is what great men do.
We are members of the same church and he is a great guy. I l grew up right down the street from him. He spoke to our church right after 9/11 and was not happy. I am also retired USAF, and he said pray for our country.
Proud to be an American.
He certainly sums it up well! Best definition of who were are as a people and as a nation!
Great story by a great speaker!
General, God Bless you. You are a great American hero! Hand Salute!!
This is what America is all about. And a great talk explaining it too.
I remember that day we were working the flt line loading F4's for their next mission. Popping smoke down the taxiway to 555 HQ everyone stopped to celebrate as he past by. I also witched to air show after Capt Ritchie 3rd - 5th Mig. And loaded Fainstein F4 for his 5th Mig. Proud of the work we did to support the mission.
This was a very inspirational speech that he made... Thank You to ALL of our Armed Forces for taking the wars to our enemies and not allowing our enemies to bring war here...
America has truly fallen from when we were at the top of it all in our "Glory Days"...
Thank you General, what a great story, when Americans believed in their country, the generation of my parents.
And now we are reduced to abandoning our own in places like Benghazi. America has lost her honor.
Got to meet him in 1972 when he was a Capt. Great man and airman.
Awesome story, I listened carefully, Steve Ritchie, you remind me of my former boss, a US navy A6 Intruder pilot, ex Vietnam veteran, and former U.S navy CAG, Sandy Falconer RIP, I was awe inspired by his stories from Vietnam, every time we had a working trip away he told me a story about Vietnam, one of them a dangerous mission to bomb the Haiphong harbor when he put a Russian cargo ship to the bottom of the harbor, causing a huge political mess! I wish Steve Ritchie would come to the U.K, I'll be the first to go to his seminar....
Wow... the end really got to me... I really want to live in that country.
I read the story about this rescue. Roger Locher performed an excellent E & E.
Been a while since I heard that term.
Awesome story !!!
I met you Capt Ritchie when you were stationed at Nellis. I worked in TMO, gave you Tr's to go on TDY trips. You gave me a picture of you in yr F4.
They've gotta make a movie about this!
Yep a movie
@@lorrainemykytka8061 Call it, "Evasion"
Thank GOD for you guys
Great story and very well told by the Air Force Academy graduate.
Gen Steve Ritchie was the only Air Force Ace of the Vietnam War. He came to our Base & I heard his interview on the AFTN radio station & saw the article in the Base paper. Gen Robin Olds was also at our Base. Col Olds was checking on how his downed pilot was doing. He came to the Airmen's Club to thank the Jolly Green Giant PJ crews for saving one of his downed pilots. Bought a round & went around shaking hands & saying hello. Two great pilots, leaders & Warriors.
I was stationed at Udorn during the time this happened. Roger and I shared an Uncle although Roger was not my cousin. (Rogers mother was a sister to my uncle and Rogers uncle was married to my mothers sister) I worked on the WCS for the triple nickel squadron. After Roger was shot down I received a letter from his mother asking if I would ask for an appointment with the 555 Wing commander to see if they would give me undisclosed information of Rogers whereabouts. While we were talking the commander received a call on one of those large motorola cell phones from back then and I listened to one side of the conversation. Bottom line, he was told Ritchie had shot down another bandit ( I believe it was his third) and they were on their way back to Udorn. He told me to grab the champagne and jump in the jeep to go out to the flight line to meet Ritchie and the crews. So we did. Watched the victory celebration and then went back to the commanders office. Bottom line they had no additional information. They did not know where he was or if he was dead or alive. A few days later while working the swing shift we were told the next morning they needed max effort to have as many planes in the sky as possible. They did not tell us why but we knew it was important. I believe Ritchies F-4 is now enshrined in the quad at the AF academy. Brings back a lot of memories.
Steve tells the story very well. I was there. Udorn 1971-1973. I remember well the night Roger Locher came back to the o'club after his rescue. What a great night for all. Locher had 3 MiG kills credit when shot down by a Shenyang J-6 (Chinese MiG 19 equiv). Bob Lodge, his pilot, refused to eject. Ritchie was not the only ace -- He had 5 kills as a pilot. Chuck DeBellvue (his WSO on 3?) had six kills. Jeff Feinstein (my classmate from the zoo) had 5 kills as WSO. Ritchie is my hero, for sure
god bless everyone of those men. Heros all
General Ritchie is an American Patriot and brave man who put himself in harms way to help his country and his fellow servicemen!
Weeping...
Awesome.
Compare this video, and the pride we used to have for our Country, to the events that happened in Libya on Sept. 11, 2012. Our government allowed our Ambassador and Navy Seals to go through seven hours of this terrorist attack, without sending them any help. And then to say for weeks, that it was all caused by angry demonstrators protesting a movie when it was really a cover up. God bless Ritchie, Locher, and God rest the souls of all that were senselessly murdered in the Benghazi attack.
@ssgtsouth THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, IT IS APPRECIATED!!! I mean what I say I ride with the Patriot Guard to make sure another Soldier is not disrespected!!! THANK YOU!!
YOU are correct, Sir!
I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my cheeks. I also served in VN. '70-71. And through my tears I'm so grateful for being a part of the flying fraternity. And I wonder, could POTUS ever understand what this is all about? EVER? And I know that Congressman Allen West is the right man at this time to become the next President of the USA.
Great story and another example of American "Exceptionalism" to be sure. We also have these heros in today's generation in the Middle East!
Oustanding !!!
Utterly Awesome. Defend our American way of life no matter what.
Wow !!
@kensantube Thnak You for your service,Sir.My wife's dad fought at Normandy[ he will turn 96 this october 29th],my dad was a Marine during Korea,I served in the Corps from '75 thru '79 and my daughter was a Korean Linguist in the Army.My son was a Special Forces Medic with two tours in Iraq..This is the greatest country on the planet,Thanks to Brave men such as yourself........Semper Fidelis !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Perhaps he should run for president. He had my full attention.
Thank you for your service Brig. Gen Steve Ritchie.You're a true amercan patroit.
3 people who watched this were (unfortunately for them) manning the AK-AK guns when the fecal matter hit the rotating air movement device during Locher's exfil.
Well done, sir.. it's a wonderful thing y'all did that day.
Awesome way to go thank all our Vetetans and troops for what they have done for our freedoms! SuperDave13
Agreed!!!
All I can say is "wow"!
Fly Navy
VA-37
Locher: You were one of my favorite students. I knew if you were alive you would get out. I was at korat praying for you. MO
Ritchie was predestined to be the first Vietnam jet ace. All to often his fellow pilots were asked to back off as Ritchie's F4 was vectored in for the kill.
God has surly been with him 😇
Really? And you know this how?
I worked in his shop at Udorn. Later in life worked with one of his pilot friends. They all had the same complaint.
Would have loved to have been there when Locher was explaining to his crew chief how it was that he'd left the airplane he'd "borrowed" had been left out there in the SE Asian jungle. (Tongue in cheek)
Brought tears to my eyes!
Sorry; Outstanding !!!
Steve Ritchie for President 2012!
Ace Ritchie!
This was very motivational and even more so given the climate and the current election about to take place. In the light of Bengazi and it's tragedy, it's great to know that we have men like Steve Ricthie and hopefully thousands more who are willing to risk it all for the sake of a fellow freedom fighter.
It's only logical that he lives across the Interstate from the A.F.Academy now, and has a replica of the Sparrow missiles he downed the MIGS with, sitting on his nice little bar. This is a Good Man!
I have mixed feelings on this video. Being of the Generation that grew up during this era, I am both proud and skeptical. Wonderful story, but I have to wonder about all the others that were not rescued......Bravo and congrats to the guys that rescued Airman Locher.
Excellent story; it's what we do as Americans go in when the odds are against us.
I wish he would run for President! He is a real American.
Thanks General Ritchie. So what's going on today with men & women on military bases and unarmed--not to mention the Benghazi scandal,or the current mission in Afghanistan--building friends....and don't shoot first?
very cool, our boys are the best, to this day.............i was air traffic control for twenty years, and i have the highest respect for pilots..................
My wife heard this from another room and said it sounded like Paul Harvey "The rest of the story" style. I really thought it was great story telling.
He speaks like Paul Harvey. How refreshing.
Wow! Wonderful story. Maybe it's time we have a president who understands real sacrifice and dedicated patriotism!!
I for one have just this one thing to say...Only in our country can one enjoy life as they see fit...give thanks for our armed forces and know that with out freedom be it religous politcal,moral freedom we would not have one of the greatest nations in the world.....God Bless America and those who serve her as patriots. The families who sacrafice so much. Happy Birthday USA...Because we are here to stay....
I wonder what this man thought about Benghazi? Where have all the Heroes gone? Where is our Strength and Commitment? Kudos Sir! I Honor you and your Men!
Amen 7string!
Mine too.
This video illustrates who really are the real Americans!
a team 1968-1974 of a Marine
An inspiring story of strong, brave, honorable, and classy men who risk all for others.
BTW, what is with these low rent individuals who have to drop the F bombs in their comments? They lose all credibility and only strengthen the argument that gentlemen are becoming an endangered species and civil discourse is fast becoming obsolete. Bummer.
a family