US Air Force Col Ralph Parr: Air Force Cross Recipient Vietnam War Serving as an F-4C Phantom aircraft commander and commanding officer of the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, Colonel Parr distinguished himself during combat near Khe Sanh on March 16, 1968. That day, his flight was tasked with providing cover for cargo aircraft under heavy attack. When they arrived, the forward air controller reported that enemy mortar teams were firing from positions just below a ridgeline.