COLONEL ANDREW JACKSON RITCHEY, (then 1 Lt.) Army Air Force, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy while leading a single wingman in a weather reconnaissance mission over Wetsern Germany, 2 April 1945. On this date, Lt. Ritchey engaged enemy fighter aircraft in the vicinity of an enemy airdrome and destroyed two of them. Shortly thereafter, although he had expended much of his ammunition, he led his wingman in an aggrassive attack on more than ninety FW 190’s. Attacking relentlessly, despite the fact that he was completely surrounded by the hostile fighters, Lt. Ritchey destroyed an additional enemy aircraft while the balance of the enemy formation fled in rout. The extraordinary heroism and determination of this officer to destroy the enemy are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Col. Ritchey resides in Texas.