BIOGRAPHY
Ralph Anderson was born August 5, 1946, in Kingsport, Tennessee and graduated from Oakwood High School in Dayton, Ohio, in 1964. He graduated from Ohio University and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Air Force ROTC program in August 1968.

Anderson’s military career began at Moody AFB, Georgia, in November 1968, where he attended Undergraduate Pilot Training. Following graduation, he was assigned to the First Special Operations Squadron at Nakon Phanom AFB, Thailand, where he flew 104 Combat Missions in the A-1E Skyraider from April 1970 to April 1971. During this tour, he was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses and eight Air Medals. He served as a T-38 Instructor Pilot at Moody AFB from May 1971 to June 1974. He separated from the Active Duty Air Force to join the 178th Tactical Fighter Group. Since then, he has logged 600 hours in the F-100, 2,000 hours in the A-7D/K, and 500+ hours in the F-16. While assigned to the 178th, he has served in a variety of capacities such as : Operations Group Commander, Vice Wing Commander, Squadron Operations Officer, Flight Commander, Scheduler, and Chief of Training. He is a 1979 graduate of the ANG Fighter Weapons School, and attended the Air War College (Class of 1987) in residence. Colonel Anderson was appointed Commander of the 178th Fighter Wing on September 1, 1996.

Anderson is married to the former Hyacinth Ann Holloway of Springfield, Ohio, where they reside with their two daughters, Hyacinth and Elizabeth.

Anderson retired in August 2001, at the age of 55, after 33 years of service in the Air Force, 27 of which, were spent in the Air National Guard.

EDUCATION:

1968 Graduated and Commissioned Second Lieutenant through Air Force ROTC, Ohio University
1968 Undergraduate Pilot Training, Moody AFB, Georgia
1979 ANG Fighter Weapons School
1982 Squadron Officer School
1983 Air Command and Staff College
1987 Air War College (Residence)

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. November 1968 - April 1970 Undergraduate Pilot Training, Moody AFB, GA
2. April 1970 - April 1971 A-1E Pilot, 1st Special Ops. SQ, Nakon Phanom AFB, Thailand
3. May 1971 - June 1974 T-38 Instructor Pilot, Moody AFB, GA
4. 1974 - Piloted the F-100, A-7D/K, and F-16 aircraft, 178 TFG, Springfield-Beckley
Municipal Airport, Springfield, OH
5. June 1987 - June 1995 Deputy Commander of Operations, 178 FW, Springfield-Beckley Municipal
Airport, Springfield, OH
6. June 1995 - September 1996 Vice Commander, 178 FW, Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport Springfield, OH
7. September 1996 – Present Commander 178 FTR WG, Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport,
Springfield, OH

FLIGHT INFORMATION:

Rating: Command Pilot
Flight hours: More than 4,500 hours
Aircraft Flown: T-37, T-38, A-1E, F-100, A-7, F-16

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit with Valor, one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Combat Readiness Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one Star
Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Stars
AF Longevity Service Ribbon with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Gold Hour Glass
Small Arms Expert Pistol Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Ohio Faithful Service Ribbon Basic with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster

Col. Ralph Anderson and his wife pose before an AD Skyraider during his ANG
retirement ceremony. This aircraft is the same type flown by Col. Anderson in Vietnam.