William Dee Ritchie Jr
MilitaryColonel Ritchie served in Vietnam and was Commander over several bases in Vietnam. He worked at the Pentagon and later retired in Hilton Head, SC.
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Units served with
![Lieutenant Colonel Louis Houck of the 365th Fighter Group wearing a flying helmet with devil horns in the cockpit of his P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed "Screamin' Weemie". Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICAN FLYER WEARS "DEVIL'S HELMET" Lieutenant Colonel Louis Houck, 27, commander of a Ninth US Air Force fighter group, waves for contact after donning his "devil's helmet" for a mission against the Nazis. The flyer calls his plane "Screaming' Weemie". Keys](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-456675.jpg.webp?itok=5tRnsRWh)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 365th Fighter Group 386th Fighter Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Fontanay-Sur-Mer
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Brétigny-sur-Orge
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Pine Bluff, AR, USA | 12 June 1919 | |
|
Died |
Beaufort, SC, USA | 18 March 1995 | William D. Ritchie was born in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas. After graduation from Pine Bluff High School in 1936, he attended Arkansas A and M College in Monticello, Arkansas. On April 28, 1941, he enlisted in the U S Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet and on December 12, 1941, entered the U.S. Army Air Corps. During World War II he served with the 386th Fighter Squadron, 365th Fighter Group. He received two World War II Victory Credits. As a member of the Hell Hawks, Major Ritchie flew 109 missions between August, 1943 and September 1945. Decorations and awards received in World War II were: World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze service star, America Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with I silver oak leaf cluster, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 silver service star, Air Medal with 24 oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation. Colonel David C. Schilling and Lt. Col. William D, Ritchie were directed by Letter Orders, Headquarters USAF to conduct a non-stop flight from Manston, England to New York by use of mid-air refueling to test the feasibility of the Probe-drogue system. The flight occurred on the 22nd of September 1950. Both pilots were flying F-84's. |
|
Buried |
Beaufort, SC, USA | 21 March 1995 | Beaufort National Cemetery Beaufort Beaufort County South Carolina, USA Plot: 19, 0, 30 |
Revisions
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