Ralph A. Ofstie
| Ralph Andrew Ofstie | |
|---|---|
Captain Ralph A. Ofstie on the bridge of USS Essex 1944
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| Born |
16 November 1897 Eau Claire, Wisconsin |
| Died | 18 November 1956 (aged 59) Bethesda Naval Hospital, Maryland |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States
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| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
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| Years of service | 1918–1956 |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars |
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| Awards |
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Ralph Andrew Ofstie (16 November 1897 – 18 November 1956) was a Vice Admiral in the United States Navy, an escort carrier commander in World War II, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air), and Commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet. He was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and his hometown was Everett, Washington.
Ofstie graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland and was commissioned an Ensign in June 1918. During World War I, he served on the destroyer Whipple (DD-15) and the cruiser Chattanooga (CL-18) where he saw duty in the Eastern Atlantic and in European Waters. He was promoted to Lieutenant (junior grade) in August 1918. After the war, he was transferred to the destroyer O'Bannon (DD-177).
In 1920 Ofstie reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida for Navy Pre-Flight School. Upon completion, he attended Naval Flight Training school which he completed in 1921 and was designated a Naval Flight Officer. His first air squadron was Fighter Squadron VF-1 "Wolfpack" where he served from 1922 to 1924. With other Navy pilots in the 1920s, Ofstie participated in annual flight competitions with Army pilots in the Curtiss Marine aircraft.
In 1924-1925 he was assigned as Commanding Officer of Scouting Squadron VS-6. From 1927 to 1929 he served as Aviation Officer of the light cruiser Detroit (CL-8). From 1929 to 1933 Ofstie served in the Flight Test Division at Naval Air Station Anacostia.
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