Karl W. Richter
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| Karl Wendell Richter | |
|---|---|
| October 4, 1942 - July 28, 1967 | |
 Lt Karl Richter |
|
| Place of birth | Holly, Michigan |
| Place of death | Vietnam |
| Allegiance | U.S. Air Force |
| Years of service | 1964-1967 |
| Rank | 1st Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | 
Air Force Cross |
Lieutenant Karl W. Richter (October 4, 1942 - July 28, 1967) was an accomplished U.S. Air Force fighter pilot in the Vietnam War and was the youngest pilot to down a MiG in air-to-air combat.
Contents |
[edit] Early Career
Karl W. Richter was born in 1942 in Holly, Michigan, the youngest of three children. From a young age was interest in flying, helped by his sister Betty, by 18 had developed into a highly skilled pilot. Encouraged, again by his sister, applied to the United States Air Force Academy. Was accepted, graduating in 1964. [1]
After a short leave attended Craig Air Force Base, Alabama[2] for pilot training, then Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada[3], for advanced training in the F-105 [4]. Without any leave in-between, flew his F-105 directly to Korat Air Base, Thailand on April 6, 1966 [5].
Four days later was flying his first mission over North Vietnam.
[edit] Vietnam
Lieutenant Richter quickly became an exceptional fighter pilot, and took on every opportunity to fly. With only two years' Air Force experience and even less in combat, became an element leader. Once, while on leave, he turned down the possibility of a trip to Bangkok or Hong Kong and went instead to Nakhon Phanom where he flew combat missions in an O-1E Bird Dog.
On September 21, 1966, Richter was flying as element leader, north of Haiphong on a mission to seek out SAM sites. Preparing to strike a discovered site, he saw two MiG-17s making a pass. After assessing the situation, began closing in on the enemy aircraft. He engaged the MiG with his 20mm cannon and impacted the enemy aircraft.
Decorations
Just as Richter's guns went empty, the MiG's wing broke off and he saw the MiG pilot eject. In a later comment, Richter noted "...It's strange, but, in a way, I was happy he got a good chute. I guess that's the thought that runs through all our minds. He's a jock like I am, flying for the enemy of course, but he's flying a plane, doing a job he has to do."
At the age of 23, Karl Richter had become the youngest American pilot to shoot down a MiG over Vietnam. Went to Saigon to receive the personal congratulations of Lt. Gen. William W. Momyer, Seventh Air Force commander, and again at the personal invitation of Premier Nguyễn Cao Kỳ when he was awarded the Vietnamese Distinguished Service Medal.
As he approached the 100-mission mark, Lieutenant Richter asked permission to fly a second 100 missions, believing his combat experience should be used to advance the war effort.
On April 20, 1967, while leading a defense-suppression flight of F-105s, his flight destroyed or pinned down a number of enemy AAA and SAM crews, enabling the strike force to eliminate an important railroad target, inspite of intense enemy fire and weather that hindered navigation.
Having already won the Silver Star, was awarded the Air Force Cross for his skill and heroism that day. At this time he was promoted to First Lieutenant [6]
Lt.Karl Richter and his plane flew more strike missions into North Vietnam than any other man and machine—198 in all. [7]
[edit] Last Mission
Karl W. Richter was killed on July 28, 1967 on a flight over North Vietnam.
Flying with a new pilot, spotted a bridge, instructing the trainee to stay above and watch as he rolled his F-105 toward the target. Suddenly, enemy anti-aircraft artillery opened up hitting the plane and forcing him to eject, but his parachute disappeared into the fog bank and cloud cover. A nearby rescue helicopter picked up his beeper signal and homed in to get the downed pilot. Being severely injured during his descent, most likely from swinging into the side of a sandstone cliff, he died en route to a hospital.
[edit] Awards, Decorations and Memorial
[edit] Awards
In 1969, Richter was posthumously awarded the Air Force Academy's Jabara Award for airmanship, and in 2005, he was named exemplar of the Academy's Class of 2008.
The public schools administration building in his hometown of Holly, Michigan was named in his honor.
[edit] Decorations
Air Force Cross
Silver Star
Distinguished Flying Cross (with 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster)
Bronze Star
Air Medal (with 21st Oak Leaf Cluster)
Purple Heart
[edit] Memorial
A statue of his likeness stands at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, with the inscription:
"Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Here am I. Send me." (Isaiah 6:8)
[edit] References
- ^ Bachelor's degree, Second Lieutenant 3 June 1964
- ^ 1964 - 1965, student, Undergraduate Pilot Training ,
- ^ 1965, student, upgrade training, Combat Crew Training Squadron
- ^ F-105 Republic Thunderchief, commonly known as the "Thud"
- ^ April 1966 - July 1967, Squadron Pilot, F-105, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand
- ^ 3 June 1967
- ^ After his death and subsequent close scrutiny of flight records, it is claimed that he actually passed the 200 Mission Milestone.
(through this has not been confirmed).
