Ralph E. Ragland’s Distinguished Flying Cross citation
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AUTHORIZED BY ACT OF CONGRESS JULY 2, 1926 HAS
AWARDED
THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
TO
MAJOR RALPH E. RAGLAND
FOR EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT
WHILE PARTICIPATING IN AERIAL FLIGHT
CITATION:
Major Ralph E. Ragland distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a co-pilot in the Mekong Delta, Republic of Vietnam on 21 May 1967. On that date, Major Ragland was flying deputy lead aircraft in a five ship formation of unarmed UC-123 defoliation aircraft when intense ground fire was encountered and his instructor pilot mortally wounded. Major Ragland, still under fire, took control and courageously broke away from the security of the formation and fighter cover in order to more quickly reach medical assistance for his stricken comrade. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Major Ragland reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
“Rags” flew B-47s, B-52s, and C-123s during his career and retired as a colonel after an assignment at the Pentagon… Departed in 2023.