Being the only U.S. Air Force pilot ace of the Vietnam War, Steve Ritchie, then a captain, shot down his fifth MiG-21 on Aug. 28, 1972, making him the only U.S. Air Force pilot ace in the Vietnam War, but his most thrilling aerial dogfight took place nearly two months earlier, when he shot down two MiGs with three missiles in 1 minute, 29 seconds - not bad, considering a bone specialist told him as a highschooler he'd never play football nor anything else that strenuous.
These are the kills he made during this period.
Date In Aircraft Tail Code Type
May 10 F-4D 66-7463 OY MiG-21
May 31 F-4D 65-0801 OY MiG-21
July 8 F-4E 67-0362 ED MiG-21
July 8 F-4E 67-0362 ED MiG-21
August 28 F-4D 66-7463 OY MiG-21
Ritchie joined Navy Cmdr. Randy Cunningham as the only pilots among the five American aces during the Vietnam War. The other three were WSOs , Capt. Charles B. "Chuck" DeBellevue (air force), LTJG William P. Driscoll (navy) and Capt. Jeff Feinstein (air force)