San Antonio Express-News
December 8, 2002
Saunders Served 40 Years; Flew In WWII, Korea
By Carmina Danini, San Antonio Express-News
Ralph Scott Saunders, whose 40-year military career began as an enlistee with
the Virginia National Guard and culminated as a two-star general, died Friday of
cancer. He was 80.
A command pilot with more than 11,000 flying hours, the retired U.S. Air Force
major general flew 35 combat missions while serving in England with the 491st
Bombardment Group during World War II.
He flew 70 combat transport missions in support of the Korean War.
Saunders commanded the largest airlift wing of the Military Airlift Command, the
60th Military Airlift Wing at Travis AFB in California, and he led the Aerospace
Rescue and Recovery Service at Scott AFB in Illinois.
He was promoted to major general in 1974.
In 1977, Saunders was inducted into the Military Airlift Command Order of the
Sword, the highest honor bestowed by enlisted men. He also was made an honorary
chief master sergeant.
While at Travis, Saunders made it possible for the Air Force to participate in
search-and-rescue missions for civilians lost in the mountains and deserts west
of the Mississippi.
"Until he came along, the Air Force searched for downed aircraft, but not
civilians," recalled Lois Clark McCoy, a resident of Santa Barbara, Calif., and
president of the National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue.
"We were losing too many people, and we needed help and got it thanks to Ralph,"
she said.
An affiliate, the National Association for Search and Rescue, gave Saunders its
"Press On!" award for "outstanding personal effort in dedication to lifesaving
principles."
The fifth of 11 children, Saunders was born in Roanoke, Va., on June 24, 1922.
He enlisted in the Virginia National Guard after he graduated from high school
in 1939. That same year, he was called to active duty.
That was the beginning of a career that included transferring to the Army Air
Corps in 1942, receiving a commission as a second lieutenant in 1944,
participating in the Lebanon Crisis Airlift in 1958 and graduating from the
National War College.
His military decorations included the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of
Merit, Bronze Star Medal and Air Medal.
He is survived by his wife Dorris, whom he married in June 1945; a daughter,
Janice Saunders Palacio of Buenos Aires, Argentina; two sons, Ralph Scott
Saunders Jr. of Melbourne, Fla., and James Lawrence Saunders of Lakewood, Wash.;
nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
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