Capt. Charles B. DeBellevue (WSO), flying with Capt. Richard S. Ritchie (pilot), in a McDonnell Douglas F-4D, records his first aerial victory. DeBellevue, who would go on to be the leading American ace of the Vietnam War, recorded four of his victories with Ritchie. Both airmen flew with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
The House Armed Services Committee released its first draft of the fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization bill on May 26. Among the many provisions in the defense policy bill are elements of legislation introduced in the Senate last month authorizing multiyear procurement contracts for the F-35 and F-15EX fighters.