Neil Armstrong and the X-15 by Bob van der Linden, Posted on Tue, July 23, 2019, Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum “Released from duty in mid-1952, Armstrong returned to Purdue where he earned his degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. His love of flight and engineering drew him to the National Advisory
“Warren was born in Fallon, NV in 1924. He grew up in Calif. and graduated from Sebastopol High School in 1943 at the height of WWII. He joined the USAAF as an Aviation Cadet, won his wings and was sent to the Southwest Pacific in the 13th A/F as a P-47 Fighter Pilot. Due to the long range requirements, they were soon equipped with the Lockheed P-38. Warren cut his combat teeth flying long range interdiction missions in the Lightning.
After VJ and VE Day, he was posted to the occupation forces in Germany flying the P-47. After returning to the U.S. he was posted to Northern Japan flying F-86 Sabres in support of the Korean Armistice. Being a Fighter Pilot when there are wars on takes its toll on family life. Warren got to spend some time with his family with a stint in the Philippines. He then became an instructor Pilot in the F-86 and was posted to Nellis AFB during a pivotal period in fighter tactics development.
When Vietnam broke out he flew two combat tours accumulating 228 combat missions in the F-100 as the C.O. of the 612th TFS at Phu Cat. He finished his distinguished 28 year USAF career as an Instructor Pilot in the F-100 at Luke AFB.(1) “[Rice] was known for a unique – and dangerous – technique for taking out anti-aircraft guns during his time in Vietnam: Rice would dive directly at the guns firing at him. It worked, and the enlisted men in his squadron presented him with a large wooden plaque proclaiming him “the greatest gun-killer in Vietnam.”(2)
“Several of his awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross (2 awards), eleven Air Medals, Asia Pacific Campaign Medal with four battle stars, China Campaign Medal with four battle stars, Philippine Liberation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four battle stars and Air Force Commendation Medal (two awards).
During his long USAF career he flew many aircraft including the BT-13, PT-22, T-6, P-47, P-38, P-51, P-82, T-33, P/F-80, F-86, F-100, and F-105. He said that his favorites were the P-38 and the F-100 because they were the most effective fighters of the period for the ground interdiction mission.
In Dec. 2011 he attended a dedication of an F-100 that he had flown previously at Luke. This was S/N 54-281. It had been restored and installed on a pylon in Bonsall Park in Glendale, AZ. Warren continued his fascination with aviation by flying formation flights regularly in his Harmon Rocket with a Prescott, AZ group of similarly inclined friends.
He passed away 8 Apr 2013 in his Chino Valley, AZ home.”(1)
Source (1): https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/warren-h-rice;
(2) https://www.flightjournal.com/california-pilot-had-long-eventful-military-career/
