Captain David L. Ramsay |
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Born: December 25, 1939
Killed in Action: August 17, 1970 |
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Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Captain Ramsay and his family
lived at various locations throughout Roxbury, and grew up on
Sterling Street, now named the Melnea Cass Boulevard, close to
the location of the Memorial.
David Ramsay attended the Asa Gray Elementary and Sherwin
Middle Schools in Roxbury, and graduated from Boston English
High School in June 1956, having set an outstanding track record.
David Ramsay enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1956 and was
honorably discharged in 1960. Captain Ramsay was the 47th African
American in America to graduate from the United States Military
Academy at West Point in 1964. He graduated with honors and the
distinguished rank of a cadet captain. He was also one of the
first African Americans to be appointed to fly with the U.S.
Air Force ThunderBirds. Captain Ramsay served as a jet fighter
pilot in the Viet Nam war and was killed in action in the republic
of Viet Nam on August 17, 1970 having achieved the rank of Captain.
Captain David Ramsay's Awards and Decorations include: Purple
Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, two Meritorious Service Awards,
Bronze Star, Viet Nam Campaign Medal, Air Force Good Conduct
Medal, two Air Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Silver
Star, and Viet Nam Service Medal. |