Star,
Hal Dortch was an F-105 pilot and Wild Weasel driver with 220+ missions North over the course of 3 tours in SEA. His first DFC was earned as a participant in the first successful SAM suppression mission in June/July of '65. He also earned 14 Air Medals and two Purple Hearts.
Jim Alder was gunner on a bomber shot down over Korea. He was held as a POW where he developed a profound dislike for communists. After Korea, Alder decided to continue in the USAF as a pilot, graduating from jet training in '56. Alder possessed an "uncommon touch" with stick and rudder. This talent, combined with brass balls and a profound dislike for communists, made for what Hal Dortch called "the finest combat pilot I'd ever seen". I do not have the details of Alder's DFC commendations, but believe one was a result of his leadership in the destruction of a rail facility near Hanoi.
Dortch was surely biased, as he and Alder flew many missions together. However, Hal Dortch was a top pilot in his own right, having been an instructor at the Fighter Weapons School, a Thunderbird, the Director of Fighter & Recon Operations for TAC, DO 12th Air Force, and Wing Commander of the 49th TFW. He was as familiar with USAF figher pilots as any one person during the 60s and 70s.
There have been a lot of great combat pilots. Jim Alder's name deserves to be mentioned.
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.