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Ralph Gibson (fighter pilot)
Encyclopedia
Ralph "Hoot" Duane Gibson (November 7, 1924 – January 2, 2009) was an American flying ace
of the Korean War
. He became the nation's third jet fighter ace with a total tally of five downed MiG-15 fighters. He also flew in the Vietnam War
, and was a former lead pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds
.
and raised in Mt. Carmel. He entered USAAF
flight school in 1943 and graduated the next year. Gibson did not participate in World War II
becoming a second lieutenant later in 1946 while participating in the occupation of Japan.
with the 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing based at Kimpo Air Base in Korea
. Having been promoted to first lieutenant, Gibson entered the war with the advantage of some 1,792 hours of pilot-in-command fighter time. Gibson's tally began on June 18, 1951 with the downing of two MiG-15s. He was credited with two further kills on July 11 and September 2, and his last on September 9. The fifth kill earned him the status of ace. By this time he had been awarded the Silver Star
twice, and by the end of the War he had flown 94 combat missions.
and later the F-4 Phantom II
. As a lieutenant colonel
, he commanded the 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron (part of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing
) based at Ubon Air Base
in Thailand
, and flew 105 combat missions during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1968. He also had two tours in Germany and a tour as the leader of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
. He was promoted to colonel
in 1968 and retired in 1974.
. Having established himself in the State, he was further honoured with an induction into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame. Gibson died on January 2, 2009 after falling and striking his head while showing property to prospective buyers. He was 84.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. He became the nation's third jet fighter ace with a total tally of five downed MiG-15 fighters. He also flew in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, and was a former lead pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
The Thunderbirds are the air demonstration squadron of the U.S. Air Force , based at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada. The squadron tours the United States and much of the world, performing aerobatic formation and solo flying in specially marked USAF jet aircraft...
.
Early life
Gibson was born in 1924, in Keensburg, IllinoisKeensburg, Illinois
Keensburg is a village in Coffee Precinct, Wabash County, Illinois. The population was 252 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Keensburg is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land. Keensburg is connected to the nearby towns of Mount...
and raised in Mt. Carmel. He entered USAAF
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
flight school in 1943 and graduated the next year. Gibson did not participate in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
becoming a second lieutenant later in 1946 while participating in the occupation of Japan.
Korean War
Gibson requested combat duty at the onset of the War in 1950. He flew the F-86 SabreF-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
with the 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing based at Kimpo Air Base in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
. Having been promoted to first lieutenant, Gibson entered the war with the advantage of some 1,792 hours of pilot-in-command fighter time. Gibson's tally began on June 18, 1951 with the downing of two MiG-15s. He was credited with two further kills on July 11 and September 2, and his last on September 9. The fifth kill earned him the status of ace. By this time he had been awarded the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
twice, and by the end of the War he had flown 94 combat missions.
After Korea
After the Korean war ended in 1953, Gibson transitioned to the F-100 Super SabreF-100 Super Sabre
The North American F-100 Super Sabre was a supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard until 1979. The first of the Century Series collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of...
and later the F-4 Phantom II
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
. As a lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
, he commanded the 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron (part of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing
8th Fighter Wing
The United States Air Force 8th Fighter Wing is the host unit at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea and is assigned to Seventh Air Force...
) based at Ubon Air Base
Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base
Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base is a Royal Thai Air Force facility and is the home of Wing 21 of the RTAF 2nd Air Division. It is located in East-Central Thailand, near the city of Ubon Ratchathani, in the Ubon Ratchathani Province. It is approximately 305 miles North-East of Bangkok...
in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, and flew 105 combat missions during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1968. He also had two tours in Germany and a tour as the leader of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
The Thunderbirds are the air demonstration squadron of the U.S. Air Force , based at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada. The squadron tours the United States and much of the world, performing aerobatic formation and solo flying in specially marked USAF jet aircraft...
. He was promoted to colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in 1968 and retired in 1974.
Final years
After retirement Gibson was inducted into the Illinois Military Aviation Hall of Fame, and he started a successful second career selling real estate in Tucson, ArizonaTucson, Arizona
Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200...
. Having established himself in the State, he was further honoured with an induction into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame. Gibson died on January 2, 2009 after falling and striking his head while showing property to prospective buyers. He was 84.
Decorations
Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
with oak leaf cluster
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United States)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
with three oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with 2 silver oak leaf clusters and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
Air Force Commendation MedalCommendation MedalThe Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...