OBITUARY
August 14, 2007
Richard C. Catledge
1920 – 2007
The Air Force pilot known as Thunderbird One, retired Maj. Gen. Richard C. Catledge,
died Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007.
His extraordinary Air Force career was highlighted by flying number one, or lead
position, with the famous U.S. Air Force Thunderbird aerobatic team. In 1953, he was
appointed to form the original team, and he put some of the Air Forceís best pilots into
the F-84-G.
Born in Shawnee, Okla., in 1920, Gen. Catledge grew up in Memphis, Tenn., where he
was very active in sports and swimming. He returned to Oklahoma to finish high school
and won the state diving championship. Later, attending college in California, he earned
the Southern California junior college diving championship. In 1947, he won the National
Air Force Diving Championship.
In 1942, he joined the Army Air Force and received his pilotís wings. A year later, World
War II found him assigned to the 1st Fighter Group, a P-38 unit in North Africa. While
flying his 23rd combat mission, he was shot down in a dogfight over the Bay of Naples.
He was captured and sent to a prison camp in northern Italy. He escaped and evaded
enemy forces in the mountains of Italy for nine months before reaching friendly lines.
In 1944, he was assigned to Luke AFB, Phoenix, Ariz., where he met and married Norma
Hart.
Highlights of his career include: Commanding the 66th Fighter Squadron in Alaska as a
major; graduating from the Air Command and Staff college in 1952; director for
Inspections at HQ Crew Training Air Force at Randolph AFB, Texas; Commander of the
9th Fighter Bomber Squadron at Komaki AFB, Japan; Chief of the Tactical Evaluation
Branch at HQ Fifth Air Force; graduation from the Naval War College; Chief of the
Counterinsurgency Division at HQ USAF, where he laid groundwork that became
important as the U.S. was drawn into the Vietnam War. He also played a key role in
convincing the Air Force to equip the F-4 Phantom II with guns.
He became Director of Operations in the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hahn AB,
Germany; Commander of the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Bien Hoa AFB, Vietman,
where he flew 141 combat missions; Commander of the 4510th Combat Crew Training
Wing at Luke AFB, Ariz., where he was promoted to Brigadier General; Inspector
General, HQ Tactical Air Command in 1969; Deputy Chief of Staff, Requirements where
he was promoted to Major General and given command of the Tactical Air Warfare
Center at Eglin AFB, Fla. After a truly distinguished career in fighter aviation, Gen.
Catledge retired in 1973.
Among many service decorations, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal,
Legion of Merit with cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart and Air
Medal with numerous oak leaf clusters.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma, in 1983.
He married Linda Major in 1984, where they lived an active life traveling, skiing, golfing
and motorcycling.
He is survived by wife, Linda; sister, Dee Dee Hunter of Conyers, Ga.; sons, Chris
Catledge of Cocoa Beach, Fla., and Clay Catledge of Destin, Fla.; daughter, Peggy
Wagnitz of Laurel, Mont.; grandchildren, Melissa Evans and Daniel Bittle; and three
great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Lindaís children, Mike Major (Renee), Dana
Hyland (Kevin), and grandchildren Austin and Jordan Major, Samantha, Brittany and
Tyler Hyland; and brother-in-law, Steve Owen.
There will be no local services. Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery.