Local Tuskegee Airman passes away at 89

  • Published
  • By Ryan Hansen
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. --  The Air Force, Team Offutt and the Bellevue community lost one its heroes, icons and pioneers Oct. 11, with the passing of retired Lt. Col. Harrison Tull. 
     
Colonel Tull, a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, lost his battle with cancer at the age of 89. 
     
Colonel Tull spent 27 years in the military and served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam 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. 
     
Family, friends, local elected officials, fellow Tuskegee Airmen and countless members of Team Offutt were in attendance at Bellevue's First Baptist Church for Colonel Tull's funeral Oct. 16. 
     
"I met Harry as a second lieutenant in 1956 when we served together with the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Forbes AFB, Kan.," said retired Brig. Gen. Regis F.A. Urschler, who gave the eulogy. "His service as a member of the Tuskegee Airman is well known ... and I'm glad to have been part of his life." 
     
Colonel Tull was drafted into the Army Air Corps and while attending basic training he was accepted to the Aviation Cadet Program at Tuskegee, Ala. He earned his rated observer wings in 1944, was commissioned as a second lieutenant and joined the 477th Bombardment Group in World War II. 
     
"(The Tuskegee Airmen) had to fight their country in order to fight for their country," General Urschler said. "But Harry always took the high road. Throughout his life his service never stopped and he was a role model for all of us." 
     
Colonel Tull moved into the reserves in 1945 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, Colonel Tull moved into the electronic warfare career field where he served as an equipment operator, instructor and evaluator with the 55th SRW. He continued to serve in electronic reconnaissance for the next 14 years until his retirement. 
     
"(Colonel Tull) was the ultimate giver and servant," said Chief Master Sgt. Gary Carter, 1st Weather Group superintendent. "He provided for youth in the form of scholarships, he provided to Airmen his time and perspective about his experiences, not only as a Tuskegee Airman but as an Air Force officer, and he offered mentorship to all he came in contact within the local community." 
     
Following his illustrious military career, Colonel Tull taught high school biology and was a junior high counselor at Omaha Public School District Monroe Junior High School until he retired in 1990. 
     
Colonel Tull was elected into 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. 
     
As part of Colonel Tull's funeral service, the Offutt Honor Guard provided full military honors and served as casket bearers. 
     
"I could never have imagined myself doing a detail for this man and how I felt is unexplainable," said Senior Airman Scott Capps, 55th Security Forces Squadron and honor guard member. "Just seeing the wide variety of people who came to his funeral proves that no matter the hardship, no matter the pain or struggles you face in life, the people you meet and serve with will be by your side until the very end." 
     
According to the New York Times, only about 330 Tuskegee Airmen remain from the more than 16,000 pilots and ground crew that served with the prestigious unit. 
     
Colonel Tull is survived by his daughters, Janet and Elaine, and son, Kevin. He was preceded in death by his wife, Charleyne, who passed away in 2000.