WILLIAMSBURG — Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Dallas Ralph Hanna, 82, passed away Monday, Nov. 16, 2020. He was born Aug. 14, 1938, in Salem, Ohio, to parents, Dallas Jay and Mary Narcissa (Collins) Hanna.
He graduated from Salem High School, Class of 1956, and went on to obtain an undergraduate degree from Ohio Wesleyan University. He received a master’s degree from Central Michigan University and was a graduate of the Air War College.
Ralph was a highly decorated career fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force. He was involved in both the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War and held two FIS command positions, retiring as a colonel. Throughout his career, he flew the F-102, the F-4, the F-15, the F-106 and the T-33, but one of his favorites was the A-1 Skyraider.
Vietnam was his last chance to fly the prop airplane like they flew in World War II. That was the type of plane he “practiced” on at Uncle Byron’s farm as a boy. The U.S. Air Force used the A-1 to rescue downed aircrews by escorting the helicopter and providing divesting firepower at the same time to control the battlefield until the shoulder fire came along. Flying that plane, Ralph became part of the biggest rescue mission in the Vietnam War.
He was stationed everywhere from Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Keflavik, Iceland. He met Lou, the love of his life, while stationed at Castle Air Force Base in California. They carried on a courtship between Denver and California and were married at the midpoint of his Southeast Asia tour, but that’s another story.
Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Lou; two daughters, Nikki and Jenny; son-in-law, Glen; and his two granddaughters, Hanna and Marissa.
The family apologizes, but all services have been canceled at this time due to COVID-19.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the American Cancer Society.
Share online condolences with the family at Nelsen Funeral Home.
