Background
Parr was born in 1924, in Portsmouth, Virginia.
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Ralph Parr
Edit ProfileCareer
He was credited with a total of ten downed enemy aircraft. He enlisted in the United States Army Reserve in 1942, earned his wings in 1944, and flew Lockheed P-38 Lightnings in the Pacific during the last year of the Second World War. In of Korea he flew Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars, then North American F-86 Sabres, managing to shoot down a total of ten enemy aircraft.
On July 27, 1953, the day of the armistice, then Captain Parr scored the last aerial "kill" of the War by shooting down an unarmed Soviet Navy Ilyushin Il-12 transport aircraft.
All 21 passengers including 3 medical staff were killed. In Vietnam, Parr served as a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II squadron commander.
He flew the aircraft on two combat tours, including one in which he saw action at the Battle of Khe Sanh. Following the War he took a number of desk assignments before retiring as a Colonel in 1976.
He died on December 7, 2012 at an assisted living facility in New Braunfels, Texas.
He was 88.
Achievements
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Born
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Died
December 7, 2012 (aged 88) -
Nationality
United States
Awards
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Distinguished Flying Cross; Bronze Star Medal; legionnaire of Legion of Merit; Air Medal; Silver Star; Legion of Merit Distinguished Service Cross; Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Force Cross; Legion of Merit; Air Medal
Decorations Air Force Cross (awarded for actions during the Vietnam War) Distinguished Service Cross (awarded for actions during the ) Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Air MedalDecorations Air Force Cross (awarded for actions during the Vietnam War) Distinguished Service Cross (awarded for actions during the ) Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Air Medal