Ralph Wandrey was awarded the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and bronze oak leaf cluster in lieu of a second Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroics in the Pacific during WWII. His efforts were part of the American campaign to hold onto a foothold in the Pacific at Guadalcanal, and to defend Australia from Japanese invasion. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
July 21, 2018
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July 21, 2018 1 a.m.
Fighter ace still beating the odds
HAYDEN — Outrunning the enemy was the name of the game while dogfighting in the Pacific during World War II, said Hayden resident Ralph H. “Iron Pants” Wandrey.