My Uncle
06-29-2006, 11:49 PM
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My Uncle
First off sorry for the long post. Would have put this in the truck lounge but well you know
My Uncle past away a few weeks ago. My mom sent this article to me that was written when he was inducted in the the Army Aviation Hall of Fame. Thought I would share with some of the military people on here. We are very proud of him, he will be missed.
WALDEN HAPPENINGS
BY DOC FENNESSY
Professional Personality for October-2001; Army Aviation’s "Hall Of Fame", Premier Master Aviator - Billy Fulbright
America’s Army Aviation Premiere Master Aviator Billy Fulbright is shown with his wife Jo on the occasion of being inducted into the "Hall of Fame". To Billy’s left is the painting of him that will hang on the wall of the United States Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker, Alabama commemorating Billy Fulbright’s record of contributions to military aviation and excellence in achievements for posterity. With warriors like Billy Fulbright, America will always win and be safe from aggression.
It is a very rare occasion that anybody gets inducted to a military "Hall of Fame". Since its inception in 1974 there have only been 88 inductees into the Army Aviation "Hall of Fame" that include such notables as Igor Sikorsy, Lawrence T. Bell [Bell Helicopter Co.] Frank N. Piasecki with numerous Generals and Colonels. The Montgomery County News is proud to honor the United States Army Aviation Association of America’s (AAAA) newest inductee into the "Hall of Fame" for the year 2001 - Premier Master Chief Pilot Billy Fulbright. Billy Fulbright is the October - 2001 Professional for the month, and folks, as Americans this is truly a story you can hang your pride upon and be thankful as an American that warriors like Billy Fulbright are on "our side" and have trained the warriors that have followed him. Chief Warrant Officer Billy Fulbright retired in 1975, with over 30 years of service, a Master Army Aviator with 8,704 flying hours. He was qualified in 25 aircraft types, models and series and was an instructor in most of those type planes. Very few others matched his impact on Army Aviation in the 50's and throughout the Vietnam Era. While retired in Walden, if Billy took time to write "The Book" about the Vietnam War, it unquestionably would blow your mind with the visualization of the reality of what "actually did happen"; not the historical revisionism plots of Hollywood cinematography. Billy Fulbright has appeared on the cover of the national "Professional Pilot" magazine.
And here, is the fascinating story of an adopted child that ran away from home during the Second World War at 15-years of age, joined the U.S. Army, and served his country by continually putting his life on the line for his fellow comrades in arms. Lest we forget, that this is the kind of man and millions of others like him that have come and gone over the centuries that has provide us with the freedom, rights and privileges that we so enjoy as proud Americans. Please dear God, never ever let us forget them !!!
At the age of five, Billy Fulbright’s father died and he was placed in an orphanage. He was eventually adopted when he was 10 years old. Some time after he ran away from home and tried to join the Navy - the Navy said he had a spot on his lungs and would not take him.. Then at age of 15 he got the idea to sign up for the draft. He lied about his age and signed for immediate induction where he took his physical at the same location and passed with flying colors and the rest is aviation history!
During his military service Billy Fulbright has had training as a Paratrooper - Surgical Technician - Physical Therapy - Flight School for Helicopters and Fixed Wing Aircraft. During World War II in 1944 he was based as a paratrooper in the Philippines in the battles of Luzon, Layete, Panay and Mindanao. In 1946-1948 Japan, and from 1948 to 1953; Fort Bragg & Fort Sill, Ok., where he was selected to organized a transition school for the newly purchased H21 - largest helicopter in Army inventory at that time at Fort Riley, Kansas. From there he went to Japan with the 6th Helicopter Company and subsequently to Korea to set up a training school to train pilots who were not trained in this type of aircraft. He was returned to the United States in 1959 to Fort Rucker where he serves as a flight instructor in helicopter instrument flying. In 1962 Billy Fulbright fought in Vietnam Flying H21. Billy flew all fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft the Army had in their inventory [26 in all] and was selected for transporting Vietnamese into combat in 1961. He was selected because of his multi-engine experience and courage because it was a highly classified and dangerous mission that is still classified as "Top Secret" to this day. In 1963 he returned to Fort Rucker in Alabama for Caribou Flight School and transferred to Fort Benning, GA. In November of 1966, Billy was selected for the "Crazy Cat" Navy Neptune Flight School in San Diego’s North Island Naval Air. From June 1967 through June 1968, Billy returned to Viet Nam flying the P2V Neptune. In June 1968 he returned to Fort Rucker where he attended advance courses. In 1970, he was stationed at Biloxi AFB Air Force Air Traffic Control School. Then moved to Ft. Worth with the South West Regional Headquarters as the Army Representative to the Federal Aviation Administration until he retired on April 30,1975. After serving his country for over 30 years Billy Fulbright retired as the highest ranking Warrant Officer in the Army Air Corps at that time.
The following is the citation from the United States Army Aviation Association of America honoring Billy Fulbright during his induction into the "Hall of Fame". "Chief Warrant Officer Billy J. Fulbright, (Retired) the U.S. Army's premier CH-21C Instructor Pilot, directly contributed to the early and continued success of Army Aviation Helicopter Airmobile Operations in Vietnam. Billy Fulbright is the first Warrant Officer Aviator graduate from the early WOC classes at Ft. Sill, predating Ft. Rucker, Ft. Wolters and Ft. Stewart, to become a member of the Hall of Fame. Graduating with Class 54-D, in May 1954, as a WOJG (Warrant Officer, Junior Grade), Billy was soon assigned to the H-21 Transition School, Ft. Riley, training Army Aviators in this new, largest cargo helicopter. Dozens of his students, now well trained and experienced CH-21 C pilots, manned the first five TC cargo helicopter units sent to serve in Vietnam in 1961 and 1962."
"Following fixed-wing transition, Billy Fulbright was assigned as the CH-21C SIP in the 8th Transportation Company at Qui Nhon, training replacement pilots to safely fly combat missions. Leading by example, he flew dangerous medevacs plus FW reconnaissance missions in the unit's L-19."
"In 1963, Billy Fulbright was instrumental in forming a Caribou Transition Course at Ft. Benning and trained pilots in both FW and RW aircraft, during the 11th Air Assault Division test. In 1967, Fulbright was selected to fly the Army's four-engined (two reciprocating and two jets), former Navy P-2V Neptune patrol bomber. He supervised bringing six P-2V's out of "Moth *****" in Arizona for delivery to San Diego, to install Top-Secret Army radio-research equipment and became SIP for the newly-formed 1st Aviation Company (RR). The aircraft, now an Army SP-2E's, was deployed to Cam Ranh Bay. The normal Neptune missions lasted 10-12 non-stop flying hours in this largest and most complex Army aircraft. Billy Fulbright instructed the unit aviators in emergency procedures and take-off and landing proficiency, plus flying long missions, logging over 1000 SP-2E hours. Warrant Officer Fulbright flew a total of 1250 combat hours in Vietnam and was awarded the Air Medal with 30 Oak Leaf Clusters. After a tour in Hawaii, as U-21 SIP and Instrument Flight Examiner throughout the Islands, Officer Fulbright attended the first Aviation Warrant Officer Advanced Career Course at Ft. Rucker. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the FAA in Ft. Worth, as coordinator for all Army Airspaces needed in five southwest states. Chief Warrant Officer Billy Fulbright retired in 1975, with over 30 years of service, a Master Army Aviator with 8,704 flying hours. He was qualified in 25 aircraft types, models and series. Very few others matched his impact on Army Aviation in the 50's and throughout the Vietnam Era."
Link to second part click
My Uncle past away a few weeks ago. My mom sent this article to me that was written when he was inducted in the the Army Aviation Hall of Fame. Thought I would share with some of the military people on here. We are very proud of him, he will be missed.
WALDEN HAPPENINGS
BY DOC FENNESSY
Professional Personality for October-2001; Army Aviation’s "Hall Of Fame", Premier Master Aviator - Billy Fulbright
America’s Army Aviation Premiere Master Aviator Billy Fulbright is shown with his wife Jo on the occasion of being inducted into the "Hall of Fame". To Billy’s left is the painting of him that will hang on the wall of the United States Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker, Alabama commemorating Billy Fulbright’s record of contributions to military aviation and excellence in achievements for posterity. With warriors like Billy Fulbright, America will always win and be safe from aggression.
It is a very rare occasion that anybody gets inducted to a military "Hall of Fame". Since its inception in 1974 there have only been 88 inductees into the Army Aviation "Hall of Fame" that include such notables as Igor Sikorsy, Lawrence T. Bell [Bell Helicopter Co.] Frank N. Piasecki with numerous Generals and Colonels. The Montgomery County News is proud to honor the United States Army Aviation Association of America’s (AAAA) newest inductee into the "Hall of Fame" for the year 2001 - Premier Master Chief Pilot Billy Fulbright. Billy Fulbright is the October - 2001 Professional for the month, and folks, as Americans this is truly a story you can hang your pride upon and be thankful as an American that warriors like Billy Fulbright are on "our side" and have trained the warriors that have followed him. Chief Warrant Officer Billy Fulbright retired in 1975, with over 30 years of service, a Master Army Aviator with 8,704 flying hours. He was qualified in 25 aircraft types, models and series and was an instructor in most of those type planes. Very few others matched his impact on Army Aviation in the 50's and throughout the Vietnam Era. While retired in Walden, if Billy took time to write "The Book" about the Vietnam War, it unquestionably would blow your mind with the visualization of the reality of what "actually did happen"; not the historical revisionism plots of Hollywood cinematography. Billy Fulbright has appeared on the cover of the national "Professional Pilot" magazine.
And here, is the fascinating story of an adopted child that ran away from home during the Second World War at 15-years of age, joined the U.S. Army, and served his country by continually putting his life on the line for his fellow comrades in arms. Lest we forget, that this is the kind of man and millions of others like him that have come and gone over the centuries that has provide us with the freedom, rights and privileges that we so enjoy as proud Americans. Please dear God, never ever let us forget them !!!
At the age of five, Billy Fulbright’s father died and he was placed in an orphanage. He was eventually adopted when he was 10 years old. Some time after he ran away from home and tried to join the Navy - the Navy said he had a spot on his lungs and would not take him.. Then at age of 15 he got the idea to sign up for the draft. He lied about his age and signed for immediate induction where he took his physical at the same location and passed with flying colors and the rest is aviation history!
During his military service Billy Fulbright has had training as a Paratrooper - Surgical Technician - Physical Therapy - Flight School for Helicopters and Fixed Wing Aircraft. During World War II in 1944 he was based as a paratrooper in the Philippines in the battles of Luzon, Layete, Panay and Mindanao. In 1946-1948 Japan, and from 1948 to 1953; Fort Bragg & Fort Sill, Ok., where he was selected to organized a transition school for the newly purchased H21 - largest helicopter in Army inventory at that time at Fort Riley, Kansas. From there he went to Japan with the 6th Helicopter Company and subsequently to Korea to set up a training school to train pilots who were not trained in this type of aircraft. He was returned to the United States in 1959 to Fort Rucker where he serves as a flight instructor in helicopter instrument flying. In 1962 Billy Fulbright fought in Vietnam Flying H21. Billy flew all fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft the Army had in their inventory [26 in all] and was selected for transporting Vietnamese into combat in 1961. He was selected because of his multi-engine experience and courage because it was a highly classified and dangerous mission that is still classified as "Top Secret" to this day. In 1963 he returned to Fort Rucker in Alabama for Caribou Flight School and transferred to Fort Benning, GA. In November of 1966, Billy was selected for the "Crazy Cat" Navy Neptune Flight School in San Diego’s North Island Naval Air. From June 1967 through June 1968, Billy returned to Viet Nam flying the P2V Neptune. In June 1968 he returned to Fort Rucker where he attended advance courses. In 1970, he was stationed at Biloxi AFB Air Force Air Traffic Control School. Then moved to Ft. Worth with the South West Regional Headquarters as the Army Representative to the Federal Aviation Administration until he retired on April 30,1975. After serving his country for over 30 years Billy Fulbright retired as the highest ranking Warrant Officer in the Army Air Corps at that time.
The following is the citation from the United States Army Aviation Association of America honoring Billy Fulbright during his induction into the "Hall of Fame". "Chief Warrant Officer Billy J. Fulbright, (Retired) the U.S. Army's premier CH-21C Instructor Pilot, directly contributed to the early and continued success of Army Aviation Helicopter Airmobile Operations in Vietnam. Billy Fulbright is the first Warrant Officer Aviator graduate from the early WOC classes at Ft. Sill, predating Ft. Rucker, Ft. Wolters and Ft. Stewart, to become a member of the Hall of Fame. Graduating with Class 54-D, in May 1954, as a WOJG (Warrant Officer, Junior Grade), Billy was soon assigned to the H-21 Transition School, Ft. Riley, training Army Aviators in this new, largest cargo helicopter. Dozens of his students, now well trained and experienced CH-21 C pilots, manned the first five TC cargo helicopter units sent to serve in Vietnam in 1961 and 1962."
"Following fixed-wing transition, Billy Fulbright was assigned as the CH-21C SIP in the 8th Transportation Company at Qui Nhon, training replacement pilots to safely fly combat missions. Leading by example, he flew dangerous medevacs plus FW reconnaissance missions in the unit's L-19."
"In 1963, Billy Fulbright was instrumental in forming a Caribou Transition Course at Ft. Benning and trained pilots in both FW and RW aircraft, during the 11th Air Assault Division test. In 1967, Fulbright was selected to fly the Army's four-engined (two reciprocating and two jets), former Navy P-2V Neptune patrol bomber. He supervised bringing six P-2V's out of "Moth *****" in Arizona for delivery to San Diego, to install Top-Secret Army radio-research equipment and became SIP for the newly-formed 1st Aviation Company (RR). The aircraft, now an Army SP-2E's, was deployed to Cam Ranh Bay. The normal Neptune missions lasted 10-12 non-stop flying hours in this largest and most complex Army aircraft. Billy Fulbright instructed the unit aviators in emergency procedures and take-off and landing proficiency, plus flying long missions, logging over 1000 SP-2E hours. Warrant Officer Fulbright flew a total of 1250 combat hours in Vietnam and was awarded the Air Medal with 30 Oak Leaf Clusters. After a tour in Hawaii, as U-21 SIP and Instrument Flight Examiner throughout the Islands, Officer Fulbright attended the first Aviation Warrant Officer Advanced Career Course at Ft. Rucker. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the FAA in Ft. Worth, as coordinator for all Army Airspaces needed in five southwest states. Chief Warrant Officer Billy Fulbright retired in 1975, with over 30 years of service, a Master Army Aviator with 8,704 flying hours. He was qualified in 25 aircraft types, models and series. Very few others matched his impact on Army Aviation in the 50's and throughout the Vietnam Era."
Link to second part click
06-30-2006, 11:23 PM
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Sorry to hear about your Grandpa, Blue. He definitely gave a lot to his country and helped contribute to us even having the freedom to do what we all love.
We salute him for sure!
We salute him for sure!
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