Colonel Ralph J. Powell was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School 22 September 1955, class number 6. His first duty assignment was as Executive Officer, replacement company, 1st Armored Division, Fort Polk, Louisiana. | His subsequent duty assignment include: Assistant Operations Officer and Combat Support Flight Leader, 504th Aviation Company, 4th Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas and Germany; Commander, troop B 6th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Knox, Kentucky; Commander troop D, Air Cavalry, 4/12 Armored Cavalry Squadron, 4th Armored Division, Fort Carson, Colorado; Operations Officer, 114th Airmobile Company USARPAC, Vietnam; Assistant Operations Officer, contract Instrument Division, Aviation School, Fort Rucker, Alabama; Data Collector, Mechanized/Armor Study group, Vietnam; Aviation Officer, Headquarters, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Vietnam; Branch Chief, Brigade Tactics Division, Armor School, Fort Knox, Kentucky; Battalion Commander, 19th Aviation Battalion, United States, Fort Richardson Alaska; Staff Officer, Manpower Directorate, ACSFOR, Washington, D.C.; Branch Chief, Military Personnel Center, Washington, D.C.; Executive Officer, Headquarters, School Brigade, Aviation Center, Fort Rucker, Alabama; Director, Training Developments, Aviation Center, Fort Rucker, Alabama. | His awards and decorations include: General Staff Identification Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, ADM, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (11), Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit.