- Born
- Birth nameRalph Ellis Gaither Jr.
- Ralph E. Gaither was born on March 8, 1942 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. He is married to Barbara Lee Smith. They have two children.
- SpouseBarbara Lee Smith(? - present) (2 children)
- He was awarded two Silver Stars and two Legion of Merit medals for his actions and conduct while a prisoner of war in North Vietnam.
- On October 17, 1965, Ensign Gaither and his Radar Intercept Officer were part of Fighter Squadron 84 from the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Independence (CVA-62). Their F-4B Phantom II was shot down over North Vietnam and after ejecting, were captured by the North Vietnamese. They both spent the next seven years, three months and 23 days as prisoners of war and were released on February 12, 1973. Gaither retired from the Navy on February 1, 1986 as a Commander.
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