News

Airman’s story, legend, legacy ‘need no embellishment’

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  • 55th Wing Public Affairs

February is Black History Month, which provides everyone an opportunity to look back at African Americans who have made an impact on our nation’s history.

Within the 55th Wing, there are multiple heroes, icons and pioneers scattered throughout the unit’s nearly 80-years of service, but there has been only one Lt. Col. Harrison Tull.

Tull was a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen and spent 27 years in the military serving during World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War and Cold War.

He started out in a segregated Army Air Corps in 1943 and retired from the Air Force in 1970 as commander of the 55th Electronic Intelligence Operations Squadron at Offutt.

“He was a fine officer, a true gentleman patriot and role model,” said retired Lt. Col. Max Moore, who served with Tull at Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas, and at Offutt.

While attending Army Air Corps basic training, Tull was accepted into the Aviation Cadet Program at Tuskegee, Ala. He earned his rated observer wings in 1944, was commissioned as a second lieutenant and became a member of the 477th Bombardment Group in World War II. 

Following the war, Tull transferred to the Reserves where he remained for the next seven years. After being recalled to active duty for the Korean War, he served as a navigation instructor, went through B-29 crew training and ultimately served with the 98th Bombardment Wing, flying post Korean War support missions.

In 1956, Tull moved into the electronic warfare career field where he served as an equipment operator, instructor and evaluator with the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing. He continued to serve in electronic reconnaissance for the next 14 years until his retirement. 

“His life story, legend and legacy need no embellishment,” Moore said. “They stand alone as a true testament.”

Following his illustrious military career, Tull taught high school biology and was a junior high counselor at Omaha Public School’s Monroe Junior High School until he retired in 1990. 

Tull was selected for the 55th Wing Hall of Fame in 1999, the Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame in 2003 and received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007, the highest award bestowed by the U.S. legislative branch.

In 2010, the 55th Wing honored Tull by naming a new road after him that connected the 55th Communications Group headquarters building to SAC Boulevard.