OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. - Retired Lt. Col. Harrison Tull (left) and retired Brig. Gen. Regis F.A. Urschler pose for a photograph about five years ago. The two officers served together with the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing in 1956. A new road on Offutt will be named in honor of Colonel Tull during a ceremony April 6. Courtesy photo

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OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE - This 55th Wing historic document was produced in 1999 as retired Lt. Col. Harrison Tull was inducted into the 55th WG Hall of Fame for his many military achievements. Colonel Tull, a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, passed away Oct. 11, 2009, after losing his battle with cancer. A new road on Offutt will be named in honor of Colonel Tull during a ceremony April 6. U.S. Air Force photo

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Offutt honors fallen brother with road dedication

Published March 18, 2010
By Senior Airman Danielle Grannan
55th Wing Public Affairs

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Offutt hosts a ceremony April 6 dedicating and naming a new road on base in honor of a fallen brother in arms.

Lt. Col. Harrison "Harry" Tull served in the U.S. Air Force for 27 years, his career encompassing his time in World War II as a member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

He was inducted into the 55th Wing Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame in 2003. He received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007, the highest award presented by the U.S. legislative branch, and now he will be remembered by everyone who drives down Tull Road.

Sadly, Colonel Tull died Oct. 11, 2009, at the age of 89 after battling cancer.

"We are incredibly proud to honor the legacy of Colonel Tull and the Tuskegee Airmen," said 55th Wing Commander, Brig. Gen. John N.T. Shanahan. "Not only was he a big part of our wing's heritage, he was a great leader in the community. He served his nation with dedication and dignity for far longer than the 27 years he wore a uniform.

"We should all strive to emulate his steadfast commitment to service and excellence and his perseverance in knocking down obstacles," the general said.

Like Colonel Tull, the road named in his honor will connect the past and present. The road was recently built to connect what was once the hospital on historic Fort Crook to SAC Boulevard. The former hospital building now houses the 55th Communications Group.

The process to dedicate Tull Road started more than six months ago before construction was even complete.

"The initial process to name anything on base after a person falls to the 55th Force Support Squadron," said Capt. Alejandra Czerniak, Community Services Flight deputy commander, "So when the task came to me, I wrote a letter to the group commander making several recommendations. Colonel Tull stood out, and it seemed appropriate to name the road after him, especially considering his recent passing.

"Once we got the okay at the group level, it went up the chain of command to General Shanahan who approved the recommendation," said Captain Czerniak. "The wing commander really liked the idea of dedicating the road to Colonel Tull."

Dedications such as this don't happen often, said John McQueney, 55th Wing historian.

The last dedication to a 55th Wing member was the King Dining Facility in the late 1990s. The dining facility is named after Staff Sgt. Ronald L. King who died in the Khobar Towers attack in Saudi Arabia in 1996.

The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. with Colonel Tull's family members in attendance and will include words from General Shanahan among others. All base members are encouraged to attend.