Auto accident claims the life of a B-1 crew chief Published Nov. 13, 2008 By Senior Airman Carolyn Viss 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A Dyess B-1 ground crew member was killed around 3:30 a.m. Nov. 9 in a single-vehicle accident on Highway 83/84. Senior Airman Ralph Leroy Tongue, 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, lost control of his 2005 Chevy Impala, which caught fire after striking a concrete light pole support. "The passing of Senior Airman Tongue is a tragic loss to the United States Air Force and Dyess Air Force Base," said Lt. Col. Bernard Hatch, his commander. "He was a valued Airman and family member who took pride in his service as a B-1 crew chief. He will be missed in the Abilene community and in his squadron." Airman Tongue was born Sept. 22, 1985, and joined the Air Force in 2004. After technical training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, he arrived at Dyess in October 2004. "My experience with him in the past has been nothing more than working with a true professional," said Staff Sgt. Juan Cruz, Airman Tongue's coworker and fellow B-1 crew chief. "After a good hard day's work with him I could always see how he showed happiness for having a sense of accomplishment towards a job well done." He is survived by his wife, Latoya, and 15-month old son, Rashawn, who live here in Abilene. His parents, Mary Jackson and Ralph Tongue, Sr., live in Edgewater, Md. A memorial service will be held Nov. 14 at 3:30 p.m. at the base chapel.