Ralph Gibson (fighter pilot)

Ralph Duane Gibson
Ralph Duane Gibson
Nickname(s)	"Hoot"
Born	November 7, 1924; Keensburg, Illinois, U.S.
Died	January 2, 2009 (aged 84); Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Buried	East Lawn Palms Cemetery, Tucson
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Army Air Forces; United States Air Force
Years of service	1943–1974
Rank	Colonel
Unit	4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing
Commands	433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron
Battles / wars	World War II; Korean War; Vietnam War
Awards	Silver Star (2); Legion of Merit ; Distinguished Flying Cross (3); Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal (14)

Ralph Duane "Hoot" 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.^[1]

Early life

Gibson was born in 1924, in Keensburg, Illinois 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.^[2]^[3]

Korean War

Gibson requested combat duty at the onset of the War in 1950. He flew the F-86 Sabre 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.^[3]^[4]

After Korea

After the Korean war ended in 1953, Gibson transitioned to the F-100 Super Sabre 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.^[2]^[3]

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, Arizona. 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.^[2]

Awards and decorations

He was a command pilot. His military decorations and awards include the Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters with 'V' device, Air Medal with 12 oak leaf clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal.

United States Air Force Command Pilot Badge

	Silver Star with bronze oak leaf cluster
	Legion of Merit
	Distinguished Flying Cross with two bronze oak leaf clusters and V device
	Bronze Star
	Meritorious Service Medal
	Air Medal with two silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Air Medal (second ribbon required for accouterment spacing)
	Air Force Commendation Medal
	Air Force Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with silver oak leaf cluster and V device
	Combat Readiness Medal
	Army Good Conduct Medal
	American Campaign Medal
	World War II Victory Medal
	Army of Occupation Medal with 'Japan' clasp
	National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
	Korean War Service Medal with three bronze campaign stars
	Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze campaign star