Best Friends I was officially assigned to the DCS/Intelligence, Director of Targets, Current Targets Division. I was Chief of the Photo Branch. The Branch was physically located in the 548th Reconnaisance Technical Group facility in order to have access to all of the Southeast Asia photography, especially the Vietnam material. I was also the PACAF Command Photographic Intelligence Briefer. I presented daily photo briefs to the PACAF Commander and periodically to the CINCPAC. I was also selected as the HQ PACAF Junior Officer of the Year in 1968.
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Best Moment An OER indorsement from BGen Rockly Triantafellu:
ADDITIONAL INDORSEMENT:
Concur wholeheartedly in this outstanding rating. I have observed the war in SEA as DI 7AF and PACAF since Mar 1965. If I had to identify one man below the grade of Colonel who has contributed most to our air operations in SEA for the longest sustained period, I would name Capt Ditch. This officer has personally found more lucrative targets than any other photo intrepreter/target analyst in the Pacific. Not only has he discovered hundreds of heavily camouflaged targets, but has discovered the deceptive measures employed by the enemy. He found the first and many follow-on SAM units attempting to move into the DMZ area and must not only be largely credited for their destruction, but also for preventing possible loss of B-52s committed to the area. It is not possible to recount here the singular superb role this officer has played in application of air power in SEA. In his work he has not only performed as a highly qualified technician, but as an analyst of the first rank. He has consistently displayed exceptional capabilities in relating his technical observations to the broad picture of enemy capabilities and vulnerabilities, and producing meaningful intelligence, above and beyond the technician obligation. He is a purposeful, highly dedicated, professional airman, extremely conscious of the importance of his work to air forces in combat. There will eventually be appropriate recognition for this officer in Air Force history, but for the present his award and potential in the future should be provided for by immediately promoting him ahead of his contemporaries.
(signed)
ROCKLY TRIANTAFELLU
Brig General, FR9504 DCS/Intelligence
Hq PACAF
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