Brig. Gen. Steve Ritchie and the Rescue of Roger Locher

[Radianrsunn]

I was very blessed to meet Brig General Steve Richie. What a courageous and selfless man that honors our Country with his strength and courage. We all watch the movies especially "Platoon" that showed our honored Military Men and Women supposedly attacking one another. It is so refreshing to hear the True Story of such Comaradie and the Miltary protecting their own even for one man as he was a friend to all. I salute all of you! My father also served proudly for his country. God Bless America!!

[ChanseLFD]

Unfortunately, the blind individuals who disliked this are the very chink in our armour that prevents the furthering of this type of heroic behavior due to selfish self centered motives, and the lack of character required to lay it all down for one man. I fear the ignorance of individual fools in our own nation far more than any foe we have ever faced

[ChanseLFD]

Amen 7string!

[7stringfrypan]

I'll tell you who disliked it - parasitic Socialist assholes who want to see Western civilization collapse into rubble. Propaganda sock puppets of Commies and Jihadis, that's who.

[SweetSaviour1]

where people can be free to reach their full potential...AMEN to that! and my hats off to you sir!

[DFS101]

Very powerful & extremely well said. You Sir, are a great American.

[HDridr2000]

3 people who watched this were (unfortunately for them) manning the AK-AK guns when the fecal matter hit the rotating air movement device during Locher's exfil.

Well done, sir.. it's a wonderful thing y'all did that day.

[scotthoge74]

God bless America!

[ThePeteHowley]

This is what America is all about. And a great talk explaining it too.

[southernexposuremed]

It's only logical that he lives across the Interstate from the A.F.Academy now, and has a replica of the Sparrow missiles he downed the MIGS with, sitting on his nice little bar. This is a Good Man!

[Engus1]

I'll ask you again since you didn't answer the first time.

What SERE School did McCain instruct at?



[NanaBarga]

Who in heaven's name DISLIKED this video? Goodness...it was probably Barry & Mooschelle.

[tjAvatarici]

Real Heros

[staticmouse61]

stevesprinceofsteaks ---- you do know where you can

 stick a fiddle at. Scroll down to his comment

[Rozmanification]

America was just Imitating God in this, that every life is worth all you can muster to save, even one life, even those who are railing against you as some are doing, even now.

[JazzMastersDegree01]

An inspiring story of strong, brave, honorable, and classy men who risk all for others.

BTW, what is with these low rent individuals who have to drop the F bombs in their comments? They lose all credibility and only strengthen the argument that gentlemen are becoming an endangered species and civil discourse is fast becoming obsolete. Bummer.

[Bolsterde]

Great story and another example of American "Exceptionalism" to be sure. We also have these heros in today's generation in the Middle East!

[stevesprinceofsteaks]

John McCain is as big a disgrace to America as O Sambo. He is no hero anymore. Just a bitter old bastard who plays games with his position and bites the hand that feeds. Fuck him! Just as John Glenn before him he has let the glow of DC change him from hero to POS zero.

[meanuncledavid]

Utterly Awesome. Defend our American way of life no matter what.

[Ghostsnuff]

Sadly, these values, which were the norm then, are now very rare. I thought for sure, my old SERE instructor John McCain would be a shoe-in for Pres....and look who America chose! Well, at least all the idiots...very, very sad!

[Engus1]

@Ghostsnuff

When was McCain a SERE instructor?

[Ghostsnuff]

@Engus1

1978

[Engus1]

@Ghostsnuff

Never knew this about McCain.

Which School did he instruct at?

[sbvor]

I see one person (so far) has cast a vote indicating they "dislike" this clip.

I wonder...

Did that lone vote to "dislike" this clip come from Oliver Stone (director of "Platoon")?

[katrago1]

Stories such as this brings back so many memories from that period of my life. So many friends and family served in that war, many did not survive but many others did. I am proud to have known so many of those brave military men that served their country so bravely.

[MsMombie]

Good example of how military heroes make viable Presidential candidates (not that that's a bad thing.....)

[Erne15CP]

Gen Steve Ritchie was the only Air Force Ace of the Vietnam War. He came to our Base & I heard his interview on the AFTN radio station & saw the article in the Base paper. Gen Robin Olds was also at our Base. Col Olds was checking on how his downed pilot was doing. He came to the Airmen's Club to thank the Jolly Green Giant PJ crews for saving one of his downed pilots. Bought a round & went around shaking hands & saying hello. Two great pilots, leaders & Warriors.

[gonzalesjoe85]

very cool, our boys are the best, to this day.............i was air traffic control for twenty years, and i have the highest respect for pilots..................

[ssgtsouth]

I served in Vietnam (Pleiku AB '69-70) We knew of Robin Olds as he was almost an ACE in '67 I think. Gen Ritchie served 2 tours in Vietnam theater. I agree that he is a speaker that grabs your attention. Thank God for warriors like him and Olds. This is a great man talking not of himself but of others and this is what great men do.

[kygirl1100]

@ssgtsouth THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, IT IS APPRECIATED!!! I mean what I say I ride with the Patriot Guard to make sure another Soldier is not disrespected!!! THANK YOU!!

[SUCKMEISTER005]

Perhaps he should run for president. He had my full attention.

[92nred]

someone should send this to Barry Soetoro

[gnarlyharley71]

@92nred I was about to write that!

[delialah02]

Wow !!

[CSForest]

Although I've never served, my dad served in Vietnam & my husband served during Op. Desert Storm. I've also worked for the Navy, with over 10 years working in survival radio gear. What a pleasure & honor to hear the Gen. speak. I've heard many rescue stories in my 25+ yr career, but he really told it in a way that had you enchanted, sitting on the edge of your seat, like it happened only last week, rather than 40+ years ago. Thanks General for such a heartfelt & inspiring story.

[EMF5110]

He certainly sums it up well! Best definition of who were are as a people and as a nation!

[EMF5110]

He certainly sums it up well!

[randja57]

god bless everyone of those men. Heros all

[zformproductions]

I for one have just this one thing to say...Only in our country can one enjoy life as they see fit...give thanks for our armed forces and know that with out freedom be it religous politcal,moral freedom we would not have one of the greatest nations in the world.....God Bless America and those who serve her as patriots. The families who sacrafice so much. Happy Birthday USA...Because we are here to stay....

[Davewhiteav8r]

F***in' A right . . . I remember Ritchie coming to talk to us when I was a Cadet. He had us on our feet, ready to go kick ass--he knew what leadership meant and he led from the FRONT. Unlike most of the political and ambitious people wearing stars before him and since him. A real hero.

[bahestley]

I had the privilege to meet 3 Colonels who retired from the Soviet Army and had been air defense advisors to North Vietnam. They told us the thing they admired most, was our determination to retrieve our downed aircrews. They've helped us identify some of our MIAs so we can bring them home.

[OLAA6924th]

I think that Delmar E Lang and Earnie Short from NSA ran the mission form

Monkey Mountain. Also I remember that Major ...... (Big Red One) was the search and rescue monitor. I picked Delmar Lang and Ernie Short up from the Da Nang Air Terminal and took them up to Monkey. Delmar Lang was one real

great person.,. I made a mistake, I never asked them if they ate, so when they

got everything set up he asked me if there was any food around... I got them food.. .

[OLAA6924th]

I think that Delmar E Lang and Earnie Short from NSA ran the mission form

Monkey Mountain. Also I remember that Major ...... (Big Red One) was the search and rescue monitor. I picked Delmar Lang and Ernie Short up from the Da Nang Air Terminal and took them up to Monkey. Delmar Lang was one real

great person.,. I made a mistake, I never asked them if they ate, so when they

got everything set up he asked me if there was any food around... I got them food..

[loavesandladles]

What a great storyteller.. riveting and moving. US Navy 1976-1980. Thank you for your service, Sir.

[serlyandjoe]

Thank You Sir.  Proud to be an American.

[kristydbyrnes]

amazing, and humbling,

i do some work for an old vet who was on the jolly greens, and my dad flew with the 79th over there ,honored to heard his story

nothing but love and respect for all of you

Essayons let us try

[kristydbyrnes]

amazing, and humbling,

i do some work for an old vet who was on the jolly greens, and my dad flew with the 79th over there ,honored to heard his story

nothing but love and respect for all of you

Essayons

[scottyfun12]

Very well spoken Steve! Thank you for you wonderful message. All the way from South Australia!

[kensantube]

I was rescued from Laos by the Jolly Greens and flew over 400 missions as a Naval aviator from the decks of various carriers. Over 35 aircraft participated in my rescue. Navy and Air Force personnel flew cover over me all night long and an Army rescue team stood ready. The realization of that huge effort on my behalf is the most humbling experience of my life. When a fellow service man is in trouble, the branch of service doesn't matter to others.

[borecleaner1]

@kensantube Thnak You for your service,Sir.My wife's dad fought at Normandy[ he will turn 96 this october 29th],my dad was a Marine during Korea,I served in the Corps from '75 thru '79 and my daughter was a Korean Linguist in the Army.My son was a Special Forces Medic with two tours in Iraq..This is the greatest country on the planet,Thanks to Brave men such as yourself........Semper Fidelis !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[theladyj49]

I have mixed feelings on this video. Being of the Generation that grew up during this era, I am both proud and skeptical. Wonderful story, but I have to wonder about all the others that were not rescued......Bravo and congrats to the guys that rescued Airman Locher. 

[joethebumbler]

General, God Bless you. You are a great American hero! Hand Salute!!

[dpsasso]

Gen Steve Ritchie, Thank you. I salute you. I appriciate the reminder of "TEAM".

CWO3, USMC

Ret.

[socalweddingdj]

Fantastic!

[D40acres48]

This was indeed a great video, and I applaud the General and all the Aviators that were involved in the Rescue Mission. The General makes a lot of good points. The problem with this whole deal is that the Lame Stream Media and the Libtards have turned too many of the people into Sheeple that have no Honor, no Integrity and no will of their own. Political Correctness and the idea that there should be no losers and no responsibility taken for one's actions, have ruined a GREAT COUNTRY!!!!!

[ptb2929]

BZ  General S/Fi,

PTB

[cdflyer1]

I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my cheeks. I also served in VN. '70-71. And through my tears I'm so grateful for being a part of the flying fraternity. And I wonder, could POTUS ever understand what this is all about? EVER? And I know that Congressman Allen West is the right man at this time to become the next President of the USA.

[nkp7071]

@Beretverde - what about the Air Force members who also participated in Son Tay, or did the Army Special Forces walk to Son Tay and back???

[jrobbx]

My wife heard this from another room and said it sounded like Paul Harvey "The rest of the story" style. I really thought it was great story telling.

[jerlynwc]

Great story and very well told by the Air Force Academy graduate.

[SupertyphoonTom]

Awesome story! I love his voice. He reminds me so much of Paul Harvey!! Good Day!

[hcbaggett]

@SupertyphoonTom

Interesting you say that. After the air force Steve was Paul Harvey's pilot for a while. I went to high school and played HS football with Steve.

[SupertyphoonTom]

@hcbaggett Now that's a WOW!!! Interesting to say the least!

[Beretverde]

Never forget the Son Tay Prison raid conducted outside of Hanoi by U.S. Army Special Forces.

[Dick15759]

I met Gen. Ritchie at an airshow and during a lull in the program I had a wonderful conversation with him. He is what you see on the videos...personable, articulate and very engaging. He represents the very best of our country's heros and I'll always treasure those moments I had with him.

[BungalowBill7076]

I had the pleasure of serving with Col Roger Locher when he was an F117 pilot at Tonopah NV back in the late 80's. I was at Nakhon Phanom AB in Thailand when Capt Locher was rescued. What a great mission and great day that was. The only thing Gen Ritchie didn't mention was all of the ground support that went into that rescue. But that's OK ... Gen Ritchie is a true hero in more ways than one. Thanks, General ... I hope I get to meet you some day. We were at Udorn about the same time, too.

[streetrace442]

All I can say is "wow"!

Fly Navy

VA-37

[alexiscreations]

Amazing! After hearing this incredible story...and the lengths that our military will go to rescue their own...and as well as what this says about our military's commitment to this country! Interesting... Brig. Gen. Steve Ritchie didn't have a "teleprompter"...the genuineness of his speech was evident! God Bless him and all our Military!

[gammahof6]

Steve Ritchie for President 2012!

[elackguy]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



[ktbrthdr]

@elackguy I second that statement!!!! We need a president that knows firsthand what WAR really is!!!!

[LMSTactical]

This fine American and outstanding warfighter gives us all a great gift with these words of absolute truth and beauty! This should be shown on every t.v. channel during the daytime, on the weekends, that our children might get a chance to see one of the few real Americans with a real message. God Bless Gen Ritchie, the men he spoke of, all WarFighters past & present and may God Bless America!!!

[Frank112011]

What a great speaker and the end of the story is what is the most important.