Ralph Parr
Ralph Parr | |
---|---|
Born | Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S. | July 1, 1924
Died | December 7, 2012 New Braunfels, Texas, U.S. | (aged 88)
Buried | Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
Years of service | 1942–1976 |
Rank | Colonel |
Unit | 49th Fighter Group 49th Fighter Bomber Wing 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing 12th Tactical Fighter Wing |
Commands held | 4456th Combat Crew Training Squadron 4455th Combat Crew Training Squadron 12th Tactical Fighter Wing |
Battles/wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
Awards | Air Force Cross Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Legion of Merit (3) Distinguished Flying Cross (10) Bronze Star Medal Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal (41) |
Colonel Ralph Sherman Parr, Jr. (July 1, 1924 – December 7, 2012) was an American double-flying ace of the Korean War. He was credited with a total of ten downed enemy aircraft. He also flew in World War II and the Vietnam War, and is the only person to have been awarded both the United States Army Distinguished Service Cross and the corresponding decoration used by the United States Air Force once it became an independent branch of service, the Air Force Cross.[1]
Early life
Parr was born in 1924, in
Military career
Parr enlisted in the
World War II
His first assignment was as an instructor pilot at
After returning to the U.S., he left active duty and joined the
Post war
Parr was recalled to active duty on February 9, 1948. After returning to active duty, Parr served as a P-51 and then
Korean War
Parr then served as an
He then served as an
One of his missions began on June 7, 1953, when he descended from 41,000 feet over the
On June 30, his flight came across 16 MiG-15s. He managed to destroy two MiGs. He then helped drive off 10 other MiGs, which were threatening his wing commander, despite low fuel. For his heroic actions, he was awarded Distinguished Service Cross.
During the
On July 27, 1953, the day of the
Post war
After the war, Parr served as an
Parr then served as Commander of the 4456th Combat Crew Training Squadron at MacDill AFB from January to July 1964, and then as Operations Officer for the 4454th Combat Crew Training Squadron at
He served as Commander of the 4455th Combat Crew Training Squadron at Davis-Monthan AFB from January 1965 to August 1966, and then attended
Vietnam War
Parr then served as Deputy Commander for Operations of the
Following the completion of his first tour in the Vietnam War, he served on the staff of the Military Personnel Group at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, from October 1968 to March 1970. During his second tour in Vietnam, he served as the Vice Commander of the 12th TFW at Phù Cát Air Base, South Vietnam, from March to October 1970, and then as Commander of the 12th TFW from October 1970 to April 1971.[2]
Post war
Parr served on the staff at Headquarters
Parr was medically retired from the Air Force in 1976, after injuring his back while inspecting damage to the roof of his home at Elgin AFB, after a
Television appearances and commentary
In 2001, Parr participated in a meeting with former Soviet pilots who fought in the Korean War, where he said:[8]
Pilots of both sides respect each other very much. There is no hostility between them.
Parr appeared in "MiG Alley" in 2006, during season one, episode one, and "Jet vs. Jet" in 2007, season two, episode three, of the
Personal life
He was married to Margaret Parr for 40 years. They had six stepchildren and 10 grandchildren.
Death
Parr died on December 7, 2012, at an assisted living facility in New Braunfels, Texas, at the age of 88, and was buried with full military honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.[1][4]
Awards and decorations
Col. Parr is the only person ever awarded both the Distinguished Service Cross and the Air Force Cross.[2]
His personal awards are:
US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
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Air Force Cross | Distinguished Service Cross | ||||||||||
Silver Star | oak leaf clusters
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Valor device , 1 silver and 2 bronze oak leaf clusters
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Distinguished Flying Cross w/ 1 bronze oak leaf cluster (second ribbon required for accouterment spacing) |
Bronze Star
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Meritorious Service Medal | |||||||||
Air Medal w/ 4 silver oak leaf clusters |
Air Medal w/ 3 silver and 1 bronze oak leaf clusters (second ribbon required for accouterment spacing) |
Air Medal w/ 2 bronze oak leaf clusters (third ribbon required for accouterment spacing) | |||||||||
Air Force Commendation Medal | Army Commendation Medal | Air Force Presidential Unit Citation w/ 3 bronze oak leaf clusters | |||||||||
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/ Valor device, 1 silver and 1 bronze oak leaf clusters |
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award 1 bronze oak leaf cluster |
Combat Readiness Medal | |||||||||
Army Good Conduct Medal
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American Campaign Medal | campaign stars
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World War II Victory Medal
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Army of Occupation Medal w/ 'Japan' clasp |
National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 bronze service star | |||||||||
Korean Service Medal w/ Arrowhead device, 1 silver and 1 bronze campaign stars |
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/ 1 bronze service star |
Vietnam Service Medal w/ 1 silver and 1 bronze campaign stars | |||||||||
Air Force Longevity Service Award w/ 1 silver and 1 bronze oak leaf clusters |
Armed Forces Reserve Medal | Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
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Philippine Liberation Medal w/ 2 bronze service stars |
Philippine Independence Medal[9] | Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Bronze Star | |||||||||
Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st Class |
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
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Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
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United Nations Korea Medal
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Vietnam Campaign Medal | Korean War Service Medal |
Air Force Cross citation
- Parr, Ralph Sherman
- Colonel, U.S. Air Force
- 12th Tactical Fighter Wing, Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, Vietnam
- Date of Action: March 16, 1968
- Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Colonel Ralph Sherman Par, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing force as an
Distinguished Service Cross citation
- Parr, Ralph Sherman
- Captain, U.S. Air Force
- 334th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing, 5th Air Force
- Date of Action: June 30, 1953
- Citation:
The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Air Force) to Captain Ralph Sherman Parr, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Pilot of an
See also
References
- ^ a b "Influential double ace fighter pilot dies at 88". mysanantonio.com. 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
- ^ Washington Post. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Nickel for Col Parr". www.airlinepilotforums.com. Airline Pilot Forums. December 19, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
- ^ a b "Col. Ralph Parr". Official Website of the US Air Force. Archived from the original on 2012-12-12. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
- ^ "Инцидент 7.27 – Последние жертвы последнего дня Корейской войны : Единая Корея – информационно-аналитический портал".
- ^ "Евгений Шолох. Тайны "Холодной войны"". airforce.ru. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- U.S. Air Force. December 19, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
- ^ Keith Rogers. Foes No Longer Archived March 17, 2005, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2009-11-14.
- ^ this was on image of his ribbon rack, but Wikipedia entry for the award states must have both Philippine Defense and Liberation Medal, Col Parr did not receive the Defense Medal
- Valor Awards for Ralph Sherman Parr at militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
External links
- Double Ace – Col. Ralph Parr at Airwingmedia.com
- Ralph Parr – FU Hero at fighterpilotuniversity.com