Ralph Gibson

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 United States Air Force Thunderbirds.

Early life Gibson was born in 1924, in Keensburg, Illinois and raised in Mt. Carmel. He entered United States Army Air Forces 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.

Korean War Gibson requested combat duty at the onset of the Korean War in 1950. He flew the F-86 Sabre with the 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing based at Kimpo Air Base in South 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-15 fighter aircraft. 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.

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 West Germany and a tour as the leader of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. He was promoted to colonel in 1968 and retired in 1974.

US Air Force Command Pilot BadgeSilver Starw/ 1 bronze oak leaf clusterLegion of MeritDistinguished Flying Crossw/ Valor device and 2 bronze oak leaf clustersBronze Star MedalMeritorious Service MedalAir Medalw/ 2 silver and 2 bronze oak leaf clustersAir Medal(second ribbon required for accouterment spacing)Air Force Commendation MedalAir Force Presidential Unit Citationwith two bronze oak leaf clustersAir Force Outstanding Unit Awardw/ Valor device and silver oak leaf clusterCombat Readiness MedalArmy Good Conduct MedalAmerican Campaign MedalWorld War II Victory MedalArmy of Occupation MedalNational Defense Service Medalw/ bronze service starKorean Service Medalw/ 3 bronze campaign starsVietnam Service Medalw/ bronze campaign starAir Force Longevity Service Awardw/ silver and bronze oak leaf clustersSmall Arms Expert Marksmanship RibbonRepublic of Korea Presidential Unit CitationRepublic of Vietnam Gallantry CrossUnited Nations Service Medal for KoreaVietnam Campaign MedalKorean War Service Medal