Thursday, August 28th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for Thursday, August 28th –  

On this day, back in 1972 — Captain Steve Ritchie, Class of ’64, flies the mission for which he would receive the Air Force Cross.  Leading a strike force of F-4D “Phanton IIs”  to targets deep into North Vietnam, he recorded his fifth MiG-21 kill, making him the first Air Force Academy graduate pilot ace.  He was the Air Force’s only pilot ace of the Vietnam War.  In addition to the Air Force Cross, he received the 1972 Colonel James Jabara Award for Airmanship for his accomplishments. 

…Also on this day, back in 2015 — In front of a school-record crowd of 3,683, the Academy men’s soccer team defeats Army West Point, 1-0, in double-overtime.  Cadet A.J. Esparza, Class of 2017, scored the goal. 

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