David Leroy Ramsay

West Point, 1964

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by J James Rooks, JR MD on January 1, 2009:

As a young flight surgeon at DaNang AB in 1970, I was attached to the 366 TFW's 390th TFS, which was quartered next to Dave Ramsay's 4th TFS. I felt it was my duty to fly combat missions in the back seat with the fighter pilots to understand better what they went through so that I might be of better service to them. It worked and the men trusted me. Dave went out of his way to befriend me, welcome me, and introduce me to the wing. He was obviously a very gifted man, blessed with great intellect, strength, and aviation skills. We had many deep conversations about a lot of issues of the times that I will never forget. My respect for him was enormous and his death affected me greatly. I have since become an Otolaryngologist/Head and Neck surgeon and am enjoying a long career in Florida and for the last twenty years in Tacoma, WA. I have kept a tracing of Dave's name taken from "The Wall", framed it in gold and have proudly displayed it my office for many years. He WAS a real hero, and in my opinion would have definitely become a great Air Force leader. I would love to correspond with any of his family members who happen to read these words. May God Bless them!!

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