Steve Ritchie was my father's best Air Force buddy. I got to see him quite a bit as a kid - he was like Robert Redford from The Great Waldo Pepper. Of course, Gen. Ritchie was different in that he had a southern charm and no hint of marxist sympathies.
My father and I attended a Monday Night Football game with Gen. Ritchie way back in '78 or '79(Steelers 45, Denver 7). We got into an elevator at the stadium, and the guys on the elevator recognized Ritchie, striking up a conversation. These guys were excited - It's not everyday you see the guy who happens to be the last American fighter ace.
The guys on the elevator? Howard, Frank, and Don.
Cue Paul Harvey.
LOL! No kidding? That's a GREAT story! :-)