Forum: Off-topic

Colonel Ralph D. “Hoot” Gibson
1924-2009

An Air Force "Ace" Passes ON - Please, a Moment of Silence - This man is worthy...........

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying “Whom Should I send?” “And who will go for us?” And I said, “ Here I am, Send Me!” Isaiah 6:8

America has lost one of her favorite sons and one of the world’s finest Air Force warriors that have ever flown in fighter aircraft. Col. (retired) Ralph D “Hoot” Gibson took his final flight west on Jan. 2, 2009. Hoot was loved and held in high esteem by all. Beloved by the community, his family, and many friends, Hoot died quickly due to an accidental fall at the age of 84.
A retired USAF Colonel, Hoot joined the Army Air Corp in 1943, and graduated from flight school in 1944.

He flew P-51’s after WWII in occupied Japan as a flight officer. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1946. In 1948, he returned Stateside for tours in Iowa and Illinois. Colonel Gibson attended the Armament System Officers Course at Lowry AFB, CO. He was then assigned to the 56th Fighter Interceptor Wing at Selfridge AFB, MI, where he received his first taste of jets and rapidly transitioned into the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star. In June 1950, he wangled an assignment to the famed 4th Fighter Group just transferring into combat in Korea.

In the Far East he was assigned to Johnson AFB in Japan, then to Suwon and Kimpo Air Bases in Korea, flying the North American F-86 Sabre. He destroyed 5 MIG 15’s and claimed 2 probables and 3 damaged in 93 missions. He was noted for his aggressiveness. Eyewitness accounts are all constant in their admiration of his tactics and ability to fight. This war in the sky was fought with guns, and Hoot obviously was one of the best.

For some reason, the Russian built MIG-15’s seemed to come out to fight more willingly and in greater numbers on Sunday than on weekdays. Then a 1st Lieutenant, Gibson, operations officer of the Fourth Fighter Interceptor Wing, remembered the Reds Sunday predilection. Eager for combat, he went over the wing’s ready list for a Sunday, scratched out another pilots’ name and put down his own.

On this fateful Sunday, 28 of the wing’s Sabre jets, flying top cover for other jets and B-29 Bombers, were jumped by 70 or more MIGs in Northwestern Korea. A wingman noted that Hoot proceeded directly toward the enemy fighters, and his wingman said, “ I felt like a spectator, as I watched Hoot shooting down the enemy, while my eyes passed from one side to the other, clearing his rear. I saw a large number of vivid sparkling impacts from his armor piercing incendiary bullets striking a MIG. Having seen WWII gun camera films of high octane gasoline explosions, it was surprising to see so many hits with so little apparent damage, But, as usual, Hoot was hitting the MIG with great precision and kerosene fuel smoke began, then fire, and the enemy was a goner. Another wingman recalled that He once called Hoot during the heat of combat and shouted. “ Hoot! There’s a MIG taking a lead on you!” Hoot replied, “Can’t you see I’m busy taking lead on this other MIG?”

In the dogfight, one of the war’s biggest, Hoot, then 26, downed his fifth enemy plane. Hoot did so while trying to reset a faulty Circuit Breaker on his gun sight, but wound up downing the enemy fighter by good old-fashioned eyesight and experience. The Air Force then recalled Hoot back to the States to sponsor war bond drives and various fund raising tours. Then single, Hoot unsuccessfully lobbied to stay in Korea. “I’d just as soon stay over here and learn a little more. After all, I’ve been training for seven years to do just what I’m doing now!” Aces Becker and Jabara who were all with Jabara’s flight when shooting down the fifth MIG were glad to return to their families, but Hoot preferred to stay in combat, unsuccessfully as it turned out!

Hoot was the third jet ace in Korea. He returned to the States for a good will tour, which included a parade honoring him in his home town Mt. Carmel, IL. He was assigned to Oxcoda AFB, later Wurtsmith AFB Michigan. He met and married his wife of 53 years, Donna. In 1954, Hoot was reassigned to the 36th Fighter Wing at Bitburg AFB, Germany. He was Operations Officer for the 23rd Fighter Day Squadron, while the unit transitioned from the F-86 to the North American F-100 Super Sabre. He spent a great deal of time flying over France, Germany, and Libya. The Gibson’s first son Layton Scott was born in Germany and was named after Hoot’s wingman, Larry Layton who was shot down in Korea. The growing Gibson family next went to Nellis AFB for 6 years. While there Hoot was Director of Academics, Director of Maintenance, and Director of Operations for the newly revamped Fighter Weapons School. He was commander of the 21st Fighter Training Squadron, and while there, fell in love with the Thunderbirds and managed to gain an assignment. Joining the Thunderbirds in March 1961 he led the team, made up of Bill Hosmer, Bob Cass, Bob Bell, Jerry Larson, and Hoot.

During his 2 year Thunderbird tour, Hoot was the leader and the Team traveled 652 days in the two years, and flew 180 demonstration shows, visited 40 states and 14 Central and South American countries. During the South American tour, which, (due to the ground navigation facilities or lack thereof, and the somewhat limited airborne equipment in the F-100’s), the mission to South America was flown entirely VFR! The team was offered refueling assets by the Air Force, but Hoot wished to stop for fuel for, in his words, “ More people could see the Thunderbirds up close!” This was granted, and the tour was wildly successful and flown without incident. Hoot, while ferrying the team, experienced a flame out at 38,000 feet, but managed to dead stick the stricken F-100 into Maxwell AFB, Alabama without further incident,. No small feat! He always considered his Thunderbird assignment as one of the highlights of his career and certainly of his already adventure packed life! Hoot liked to comment, “Once a Thunderbird, Always a Thunderbird!”
Hoot and his family next moved to USAFE Headquarters in Weisbaden, Germany.

He served as Chief of the Tactical Fighter Branch. He returned to the United States for a nine-month tour at Air War College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, and next moved to Davis Monthan, AFB, AZ. Here he transitioned to the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom. In December 1967, he returned to SE Asia as Commander of the 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon AFB, Thailand. He flew 105 combat missions from Ubon and then rejoined his family in Arizona. Colonel Gibson next served 2 years as Deputy Commander for Operations of the 4453rd Combat Crew Training Wing. In December 1971, Hoot went to Langley AFB, Virginia for 2 years with TAC Inspector General. After this, the Gibson’s moved to Shaw AFB, South Carolina, where he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Operations of the Ninth Air Force. Gibson retired at Shaw AFB in 1974 and returned to Tucson, AZ. He began a successful real estate career as a real estate broker, forming his own company, Hoot Gibson Realty. During his distinguished Air Force Career, Hoot earned two Silver Stars, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, Bronze Star/V for Valor, Meritorious Service Medal, 14 Air Medals and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Colonel Gibson is a member of the Illinois Military Aviation Hall of Fame and is a member of the Arizona Aviation Hall of fame. He was a member of the Kiwanis, Business Association of Tucson, Caballeros del Sol, Executives International, and Southern Arizona Home Builders Association. Hoot was a member of the Super Sabre Society, the F-86 Sabre Association, the Fighter Aces, and a River Rat. He was a member of the Pima Air Museum Board of Directors and served on the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame Board.

In September, 2007, Hoot, in company with Colonel (retired) Pete Carpenter, Colonel (retired) Buzz Aldrin, (Yes, the second man to step foot on the Moon), Lt. General (retired) Charles (Chick) Cleveland, Major General (retired) Carl (Duke) Schneider, Colonel (retired), Sam Shealy, Robert Moxley, Colonel (retired) Hal Fischer, went back to Korea to visit their old haunts. They were honored by the Korean government, took time to honor the fallen heroes that had given their all in the defense of South Korea. They addressed many assemblies and attended a huge Ball as honored guests at the celebration of the United States Air Force 60th anniversary as an independent armed branch of the US Military services.

Hoot passed suddenly doing what he loved to do, sell real estate. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years Donna, three sons, Scott, his wife, Mona, Duane, his wife, Brenda, Craig, his wife Tatiana, four grandchildren, Alexandra, Layla, Carrie and Michael, a sister, Opal Hamm and brother, Will Gibson. A viewing for friends and relatives was held at Brings Broadway chapel in Tucson His memorial service was held at Christ Community Church in Tucson. His service was attended by some 1100 plus people, including USAF General staff, community and county leaders and of course many QB’s.

USAF Chaplain Captain Gary Coburn officiated at the service. Music was provided by QB Mike Zonnefeld, and his selections included The Air Force Hymn, Amazing Grace, and finally ending with, I’ll Fly Away. Colonel Gibson was interned with full military honors. USAF Captain Bradley Kimble officiated at the internment site. Davis Monthan AFB provided the honor guard. A Missing Man flyby honored Hoot at the internment site, and was flown by a flight of four USAF F-16’s from the 162nd TAC Fighter Wing, AZ ANG.

A special tribute to Hoot was hosted at the Pima Air and Space Museum. General (retired) Ron Fogelman acted as the Master of Ceremonies. What other personal event could one have that would be hosted by a four star general! Tributes by Hoots friends, former wingmen, Thunderbirds, and many civilians ran long and deep. Several hundred attended this event as well! Many toasts were proposed and hoisted in Hoot’s honor in one of his favorite haunts, the Pima Air Museum.

We have lost a true gentle warrior whose modest unassuming ways, and outstanding accomplishments have been and will continue to be an inspiration for all of us. Hoot was truly a great American who was willing to sacrifice all for freedom and his fellow citizens. His motto “ Work hard, be honest, and remember your friends” is an outstanding statement for all of us to try and follow as well as he did.
Via Con Dios, Colonel Gibson! May you have VFR Skies, favorable winds, and God’s blessing throughout eternity!

TOAST TO A QB GONE WEST
ByJack Parker QB 01297A

Oft did he meet with us, Drink with us, Jest;
In true good fellowship, Share in life’s Zest,
Now he is gone from us, Made his Last Flight;
Homed true on Death’s dark beam, Into the Night.
Ever blank file there’ll be in QB’s ranks;
But, just for knowing him God, we give thanks.
Raise up your glasses then, (Soft! He is at rest!)
Drink Deep a Silent Toast
To him gone west.

Respectfully submitted for the Tucson, AZ QB Hangar,
Mike Zonnefeld
Mike Hauck
Beam Men

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Sad to see another great aviator go, blues skies to you for eternity. Salute

Rest In Peace, Col. Gibson.

Good lord what a career, it absolutely amazes me to read stories about these men. God Speed

You're right Elliboom. I could just imagine the stories this man could've been able to tell. If nothing else, I just wish I could've heard him talk about flying in the Recon Rhino.

"Alone, Unarmed, and Unafraid"...that takes a man with some big brass cojones, and this man definitely had 'em!

You know, there's something to be said about the man, when the lowest decoration they actually list is an AFCM! THAT is impressive!

RIP Colonel.

Yes, I could not agree more...A true Fighter Pilot, he was amazing, men like him make me stop and stare, my heart pounds thinking of the of the deeds accomplished under such conditions - I wish him God Spped, He coined the Phrase - Once a Thunderbird, Always a Thunderbird - Salute Sir from a fellow Thunderbird - God Bless You

Godspeed, Sir.

I saw him on Dogfights - Jet vs. Jet, where he gave his account of his dogfighting experience over Korea in his F-86A Sabre and I watched him down the MiGs.

RIP Col. Ralph "Hoot" Gibson.

Forum: Off-topic

The Passing of an Air Force Ace