First Ace of Vietnam
Steve Ritchie - 28 August 1972

Dave Dwiggins - Recovered from Bill Bogart's old 7th Web Site

I arrived at the celebration area and was informed that Ritchie and DeBellevue were still in the air after having been refueled. Meanwhile a party was beginning to form in the revetment area near headquarters.

Finally an F4 came barrel-rolling across the sky and after several passes landed and in short time was in front of us with two pilots grinning ear to ear. It was a nice celebration with the pilots taking turns posing with others of the squadron, sharing the great event.

The party did not stop there. The next day there was a beer bust outside the officers club that drew a large crowd. A friend in our shop knew Steve from riding motorcycles and asked if I would make copies of all the photos that I had taken. He promised to introduce me to Steve and did. It was a great thrill and I really felt for his wingman. I knew it hurt him somewhat to not have five kills as well. I departed Thailand on September 9th and on that day Chuck got credit for his fifth and sixth MIG kills over North Vietnam. I wish I could have been there for the celebration but I had to get home to a three month old daughter, Rebecca Anne, that I had never seen. Sorry Chuck!

These next few pictures are what was recorded of the above mentioned event.