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#LCDR William H Ritzmann, USNR (1950-1970 ) | |||
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 Ritzmann |
Nickname: Speed Branch: USNR Commission: Navcad 1956 Pre-Flight: Navcad 01-55 Wings Year: 1956 Active Years: 1950-1970 Reserves: Mil Retirement: 1970 Last Location: FL |
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| — Speed Ritzmann May 3, 2007 | |||
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LCDR William H Ritzmann, USNR (1950-1970)
My Navy career was almost a given. My father was an Electricians Mate aboard the USS Texas, BB35, in the 1920's. He would remark on how he would have liked to rejoin the Navy, particularly after Pearl Harbor in 1941.
'Speed' Ritzmann
After the Battle of Midway in 1942, I became intrigued with Naval Aviation. The pictures of the battle that were shown in the press and newsreels created the thought in my then nine-year-old mind, that it would be great to fly an airplane on and off an aircraft carrier.
I had just graduated from high school, in June of 1950 when the Korean Conflict broke out. Like many other eighteen year olds, I enlisted in the Navy.
During my first four years in the Navy, I managed to become eligible for the Naval Aviation Cadet (NavCad) Program. A shipmate, of mine on the USS Crossbill, AMS-45, Robert E. Winter, and I both received orders to Pensacola to commence Flight Training. Both he and I were inducted into NavCad Class 1-55 in January 1955.
I completed Primary Flight Training in December of 1955 at NAAS Corry Field and received orders to my choice, Skyraiders, ATU-301 at NAAS Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi.
I received my wings in June of 1956, and was ordered to VC-12 at NAS Quonset Point, RI. I was handed a handbook and told 'you will VC-12 at NAS Quonset Point, RI. I was handed a handbook and told 'you will fly the AD-5W in the morning.' In August, I CarQual'd day and night, on the straight deck and hydraulic catapults of the USS Leyte, CVS-32. The squadron was redesignated VAW-12 in October 1956. In November the Suez Crisis erupted and I was assigned to a hastily formed detachment that deployed aboard the brand new angled deck, steam catapulted USS Forrestal, CVA-59.
In January, 1957, I deployed on the first Forrestal Cruise to the Sixth Fleet. I was still an Ensign in June of 1957, when I made my 'Centurion' landing on the Forrestal.
In July, I was promoted to Ltjg and in September Lawana and I were married. Lawana, son Bill and I moved to Corpus Christi in August 1960 to report to VT-30 for duty as an instructor. Our daughter Lorena as born in August 1962.
In August of 1963, I received orders to the USS Bennington, CVS-20, via Aircraft Handling School in Philadelphia.
In April of 1965 I received orders to VA-122, the A-1H/J RAG at NAS Lemoore. Upon completion of the syllabus, I reported to the CO of VA-165 at NAS Alameda. In March 1966, We flew the squadron planes across the country to Norfolk and deployed for South East Asia via the Suez Canal on board the USS Intrepid, CVS-11.
Upon return in November, I was ordered to VA-25 at NAS Lemoore. I requalified on the Coral Sea, CVA-43, and in May we deployed in Airwing 15. Thereby, the 'Fist of the Fleet' was the first, and the last Navy AD/A1, Skyraider Squadron. I made the last Skyraider operational trap in A-1J BuNo 142077, on March 16, 1968.
Upon return to NAS Lemoore, I reported to VA-125, the A-4 Skyhawk RAG for transition and duties as an instructor. In November of 1968, and in January and February 1969, I went on leave and helped with the filming of 'Tora Tora Tora'.
In October of 1969 I commenced transition to the A-7 Corsair II. In December I received orders to the newly established Commander Fleet Air Lemoore as the Administrative Officer. I retired from the Navy on November 30, 1970.