Check NordVPN'S exclusive deal with us, get 4 months free on a 2-year subscription here: nordvpn.com/avc . It's risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee!

Captain Richie, as I knew him. I thank you for your kind words and praise of Bob and Roger. I was their crew chief for all 3 of their MIG kill in 1972. I lost my pilot, WSO (for 23 days) and my aircraft that day. That days events haunts me to this day.

He actually came and spoke at my high school in the late 80s. Very inspirational man. He didn’t get me to enlist in the Air Force though, marine here lol

could listen to that man share his thoughts all day.... thank you very much for producing this video. Thank you Brigadier General Steve Ritchie, for being you.

i could listen to this guys stories forever

I’m a retired USAF fighter pilot, and the entire fighter community, including me, has nothing but respect for BGen. Steve Ritchie. He is the last AMERICAN fighter pilot to achieve the much respected and honored status of “Ace”. He is not the “Last Fighter Ace in History”. Everyone who will read this please do not jump on me for stating this correction. It by no means is intended to question to valor and superb flying skill of General Ritchie. He will be the first to tell you he is not the last ace. Steve scored his last victory, I believe in 1972. I know for sure that BGen. Giora Epstein, IAF, 17 victory ace, scored his last victory on 24 October 1973. There are probably a few other aces after Gen. Epstein that I’m not aware of. Not nit pickin’, just sayin’.

General Ritchie and a F-4 Phantom. One of the most deadliest combinations in U.S. Air warfare history. It was an honor to listen to this Legendary Hero. God Bless General and Thank you.

That egg analogy was great!

My dad was stationed in Ubon Thailand from 65 to 66 as a jet engine mechanic, he related to me that those F-4s would come back all shot up, he even had one return with barbed wire stuck between the wing and the pylon. Evidently the pilot had misjudged his flight path and actually "slapped" the ground with his plane and bounced back into the air and flew off. Later my dad was stationed at Zweibrucken AFB in Germany where he would take me with him to work on the weekends and would sit me in the cockpit of a F-4 while he did his work. I REALLY wanted to be a pilot myself but was "shot down" by my parents because I would not meet the qualifications.

This is a great and historic interview. I hope it stays on the internet forever. Much respect.

General Ritchie, My Hero in Vietnam. along with Colonel Robin Olds,

Hearing about Bob riding that plane in rather than risk capture, that is a really moving story. I hope he was recognized for the heroism he showed.

General, you are right to be proud. Thank you very much for your selfless sacrifice to our country. And thank you General for sharing your experiences with us . Gods speed sir.

I could listen to the old timers all day long

Back in 1998 or 99 I had the privilege of watching Brigadier General Ritchie fly the Collins Foundation's F-4D Phantom at an airshow in Scottsdale. AZ. It was an amazing experience.

Was at Udorn when B/G Ritchie was shooting down MiGs left and right - to do that he had to go up North A LOT which some didn't really want to do! A great fighter pilot!

My grandfather was 18 years old a couple months away from graduating as a senior in high school whenever he was drafted into the US Navy. One day some Marine Corps Officers came aboard the ship he was on. They needed to select two men. Two guys out of all the sailors to join the Marine Corps , and join the infantry. They picked at random, and my grandfather happened to be one selected. He fought on the Island of Guam in World War 2, and after the Battle of Guam went to Iwo Jima (after most of the fighting was over with) To help get American men back to shore to leave the Island of Iwo Jima. He carried a 20 round BAR. Browning Automatic Rifle. He told my older brother more detailed stories of his service in World War 2, and I wish when I was younger I had asked him more questions about his time in the US Military. I appreciate your service, and the service of every man, and woman who has fought to protect our country, and it's freedoms.

I like that Triple Nickel charm on his necklace.

There is an F-4 on display in Kansas at a museum in Topeka that Gen. Ritchie got one of his kills in. Pretty surreal to walk around and touch that jet knowing it’s history. His backseater Larry Pettit has this jet on display and another on display at a museum just down the street that got another MiG kill. Crazy the two jets ended up less than a mile from each other. I also went and saw the Collings Foundation F-4…..Didn’t know Gen Ritchie flew that one as well.

Two USAF back-seaters (WSOs) and one USN back-seater (RIO) also attained "ace" status. Charles DeBellevue (Steve Ritchie's back-seater during four kills) is the leading American ace of the Vietnam War with six victories and Jeffrey Feinstein, flying with different pilots, got five kills. In addition, Navy RIO William Driscoll was Randy Cunningham's back-seater when they got five kills. In addition, there have been numerous aces in the various wars in the Middle East--Arab-Israeli and Iran-Iraq--many of them since the end of the Vietnam War.

This was a golden find, I just sat back and soaked it all in... I have nothing but respect for this man. (and a healthy slice of fear) I'm not sure what it's worth or if anyone cares but I'm an English guy in my early twenties, my point being there's more "gen z" interested in this stuff than many people may guess. God bless this man, and may God have mercy on the souls of his enemies.

I love it, when he told us he first arrived in Nam on April fools day you can see him reliving that special day in his head all over again

Richard Stephen Ritchie; General we loved you in "DogFights"!!

Proud to have received my graduation certificate during NCO Academy from General Ritchie!

Great story. Thanks to all our Veterans who served. Semper Fi.

Wow! GEN Ritchie is incredibly articulate and makes fighter jets and air combat concepts accessible to non-aviators. His stories his delivery of them are gripping like a great book. THANK YOU for sharing this interview!

Thank you for your service sir, and I'm deeply sorry for you having to experience that horrible war.

What an amazing gentleman!!! I could listen to him explain how to go on a walk. He’s an extremely intelligent and speaker. His service history is awesome. So thankful I stumbled on this video.

Was stationed at Udorn’74-‘75 and saw his F4D many times there with the 5 red stars painted on the engine intake. The 432nd CES Barrier Alert caught many of the F4s in our Aircraft arresting barriers while at Udorn.

5:14 this is about to take my warthunder game to the next level bro. As soon as he said it’s an egg shape it clicked. Unironically

I was in DaNang when the general was. IT WAS HELL.

His f4 is I believe still on display at the Air Force Academy cadet terrazzo area. On the corner, near Mitchell hall. I marched past it hundreds of times.😊

Mr. Ritchie, Sir, thank you for sharing your story/history with us. Your service to our country was so incredible. There are still many Americans that have not and will not forget the sacrifices that you and the other brave pilots made in Vietnam.

He was Great on History Channel Series "Dogfights" Glad I Got It on DVD.

Thank you for your service

I really enjoy these interviews... Takes me back to listening to the tales of the men that I admired most in my life.. My father, my uncles, cousins and the various mentors when I was a young man.. ( 50+ now ) I wouldn't be here today, if such men were not in my life growing up... I learned a lot, from many American Heroes, it is a blessing to have had them in my life.

All of our aces are national treasures. Heroes.

So many try and compare the MiGs and the F4s side by side. It’s ridiculous. The F4s had to travel a great distance to get to target with enough fuel to get there and back. Carry weight like a bomber. Fight off the MiGs, and fly all the way back. The Migs? They didn’t need to full fuel. They didn’t need to carry huge amounts of bombs. And, due to all of this ,could be of greatly reduced weight and and hence small and maneuverable. The fact we did so well against the migs has always amazed me.

I was able to hear Ritchie speak to us Avionics students at Lowry AFB back in 1977. Heard all his "kill" stories from the man himself.

Thank you for sharing your experiences along with your courage,sacrifice and service 🇺🇸❤️

In all fairness to history, the combined US air forces in Vietnam were shocked at the skill and improvisation of the enemy who gave them all the fight they could handle.

These are REAL AMERICAN HEROS! Built out of folded tempered steel, the youngsters these days would do themselves a major favor to find men like these and get under them. But they would probably quit because they hurt their feelings. These men didn't know what feelings are....except the feeling of a good woman.

Gen. Richie, thank you for your service. I could listen to you for hours. It was a privilege to watch this video. Your explanation, and use, of the “egg” was as brilliant of an offensive weapon as the “Red Baron”s” use of the sun at his “6” against his enemies. Sir, you are a hero! God bless you! I am a veteran that worked ECM on B-52s and A-10s.

Thank you for your service!! You earned the highest Honor of “ACE”. Congratulations! Stay well!!

Sir, a slight different perspective: the Universe did not pick you, you trained, you volunteered, you flew, you accomplished the mission. Highest respect, Sir!!

It’s a Great Testament to the fact if you had a pilot who could Maneuver the Phantoms despite you always hearing that the phantoms wasn’t maneuverable , they where Deadly in The Phantom, And all of This was still Done Despite the Failure of the Beyond Visual Range ONLY Doctrine, and Missiles with a High Failure rate.

Thank you for your service!

Brilliant interview! I love his explanation of the egg battle space. I understood it all but that was a beautiful way of explaining it

Pilots like him is what made America great and whatever he gained by this experience is not enough... thank you sir.

Thank You for Your Service Brigadier General. and Generosity to share some Stories and Insights. Terrific Egg analogy to help armchair pilots envision. Could listen to all day.

One of Steve's F-4s that he got a kill in is on display in Topeka, KS at the Air National Guard Museum.

Way to go General. I'm proud of your accomplishments and you live to tell and pass your experiences on to other pilots so thank you. You are a war hero.

God bless all who served and flew especially in Vietnam You folks were not given the recognition you earned and deserved My cousin flew the F4 in Vietnam and would tell my dad when I was supposed to be in bed how tough it was

I was in the 33rd during the transition from F4 to F15. Yeah the F15 is all that but the F4 was the equivalent of the varsity football team getting off the bus and their cleats telling everyone, don’t mess with us.

I Honor you for your service, and your dedication to our way of life.

The first time I heard about the “flying in a big egg” concept was from WW2 Luftwaffe fighter aces Gunther Rall and Johannes Steinhoff .

Amazing story

Excellent interview thank you!

Yeah, I know Danang. A lovely place. His description is spot on.

Thank you for your service, sir. I salute you with my heart.

I had the pleasure of meeting Gen Richie in 1999 at Nellie AFB during Red Flag. He actually was one of the nicest and most genuine person I’ve ever met. He told some really awesome stories and no one dared interrupt him as we were all hanging in his every word

Awesome story , thanks for you service and sacrifice General.

Very interesting. Love to hear these stories. Thanks for sharing

Cunningham shot down five MiGs as well.

Changing title to *"Last Fighter Pilot Ace in USAF History On How to Kill Migs"* would be more correct regards the WSO/RIO kills in Vietnam. Respect to General Ritchie btw. Great interview

Was a pleasure to watch your story , and to get a small insight to what you did. Thankyou.

Proud man who deserves every accolade !!!!!!!!!

One the Mission General Richey is very proud of is the rescue of Col Roger Locher who for 23 days was on the run from the North Vietnam infantry after being shot down

Hi buddy great video it must of been very hard to fly a jet and survive in combat. Thank you for sharing mate. Cheers Gary 🇬🇧

What a bad ass. Could be the last real ace we ever have with how the future of war fare is looking.

I found this video to be very instructive!

Thank You so much for your service Dear American Sir.😊😇🥰😍🤗❤🤍💙💪🙏👍

Great interview. His story is amazing. Thank you for your service.

Bob is my new hero. Beyond brave.

Every Vietnam vet I’ve heard speak talks about the smell and the heat first. Must have been horrible! Thank you sir for your service, fantastic story!

Outstanding

The F-4 Phantom is the coolest damn thing ever to be made out of metal, change my mind.

This is a real man right here.

🎨 painted this 🖼️. Extremely well described. 👏🏽

Thanks for the story sir, you are a true classic,I'm ex navy 71-75 f4 was my favorite, was with p3s myself. I see you still wear your pow mia bracelet I still have mine as well , 10:18 well.cdrÇd

Contrary to your description above, Capt. Ritchie is not the only American to down 5 MIGs. USAF WSO Capt. Feinstein has 5 MIG kills and WSO Capt. Debellevue has 6 MIG kills (4 of those with Ritchie). Feinstein is the last ace of the Vietnam War, albeit as a WSO scoring his last kill 10/13. USN LT. Cunningham and RIO LT(JG) Driscoll downed 5 MIGs. 3 of those MIGs were of the same day. The team of Cunningham (as pilot) and Driscoll are the 1st aces of that war. Capt. Ritchie is the last ace (as a pilot) 2 months later in August. Each of these these aces got all of their kills in the F-4. RIP, the fighter pilot's pilot, General Robin Olds.

I can't imagine having the balls to say "I'm not going to punch out if I get hit". Then to actually follow through with it. I get why, but once my F-4 was tumbling out of control, I would really have to rethink that one! These guys were real men. Some serious guts. There have been a few aces in the Middle East, and there may or may not be fighter aces in Ukraine right now. One we know was fabricated, but it is the idea that matters. The brigadier general will most likey be the last American ace ever.

He spoke at my UPT graduation, 9308 Columbus. Time is wearing us down.

👍x💯 thank you for sharing your story I enjoyed listening

This guy is awesome, I watched dogfights on history channel, he is a great story teller

Superb, what a great pilot and person!

Got an autograph from the good general a while back.

Thank you for your service to a FREE and grateful nation.

Brilliant!....

seems like a cool dude, this is someone you wanna have a beer with

The heat and humidity...brings back memories! Not to mention the smell of the open sewers! Only two seasons...hot and wet and hot and dry!

Triple Ace Robin Olds would have something to say about his claims here.

Great American. Thanks for sharing!!

There's old pilots and there are bold pilots but there isn't any old bold pilots.

Damn Steve's gotten old! I know we all get old, but the last pictures I had seen of him around 10 years ago he looked a lot younger.

May to December 1966, Vietnam. 12 Migs lost, 47 Fantoms lost

Can’t forget about Robin Olds.

Sir, You are a Legend

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE SIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Loved hearing this, my Dad was a F-4 squadron commander at Da Nang 69-70