Charleston honor guard provides belated honors for fallen Airman
Posted 8/5/2009 Updated 8/7/2009
by Donna Collins
437th Force Support Squadron, Mortuary Affairs coordinator
8/5/2009 - CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The Charleston AFB Honor Guard team, in concert with Capt. Matthew McNulty from the 16th Airlift Squadron, presented a United States flag to the surviving widow and son of 2nd Lt. Billie Joe Bullard July 30.
This special and solemn honor was rendered at the Northwood Assembly of God in Whiteville, North Carolina.
On June 30, Mrs. Lou Verran (Bullard), the re-married widow of Lieutenant Bullard, presented a Congressional Request to the office of Congressman Mike McIntyre, 7th District, North Carolina, informing him of her wishes to receive a flag, as one was not presented to her at the time of her husband's death. Mrs. Verran's request was honored by the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Office, who then tasked the Charleston AFB Honor Guard to conduct presentations to Mrs. Verran and her son Billie Joe Bullard, Jr.
According to casualty reports, Lieutenant Bullard was declared deceased seven days after his aircraft went down in the Atlantic Ocean, 18 miles east of North Truro, Mass., Feb. 1, 1957. Lieutenant Bullard was survived by his wife, who was five months pregnant with their son Billie, parents Delbert and Carrie Bullard, and brother, Lenny Bullard of Longview, Texas.
Mrs. Verran stated rescue teams from Dover AFB were able to rescue his flight mate, but lost Lieutenant Bullard in rough waters, where his remains have not been recovered.
Lieutenant Bullard commenced his military service May 21, 1955 at Stallings AFB, Kinston N.C., as a propeller technician. On May 29, 1956, he was transferred to Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, Texas, where he received his commission and as a pilot trainee, he trained on the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star. He was then assigned to Moody AFB, Valdosta, Ga., June 15, 1956. At the time of the mishap, Lieutenant Bullard was assigned to the 58th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Otis AFB, Mass., which was inactivated in 1977. Bullard Street, in the industrial area of now Otis Air National Guard Base, was named in honor of Liutenant Bullard.
Mrs. Verran stated she did not know what to expect. Her Minister, Tim Raush, retired Air Force master sergeant, attempted to describe what the occasion would be like, but Mrs. Verran explained words could not describe what the honor meant to her. She was mostly impressed by the professionalism of the honors team. The presentation could not have been any more meaningful and has helped her to have closure after 52 years.
Mr. Billie Bullard, Jr., stated that the honor guard "is an impressive group and made us proud that my father was in the U.S. Air Force."
Mrs. Verran explained that her husband was very quiet on the surface, but was playfully mischievous and funny, always seeking to place a smile on the faces of his comrades.
The honor guard team was comprised of Staff Sgt. Akeem Parks, Staff Sgt. Michael Shaw, Senior Airman Joseph Truesdale, Senior Airman Jamal Avington, Senior Airman David Goater and Senior Airman Byron Ragland.
=========
Billie Joe Bullard, b. 4 Aug 1934, d. 1 Feb 1957
Military Inscription: TEXAS; 2D LT 58 FTR INTCP SQ AF
IN MEMORIUM
LOST AT SEA
PHOTO MADE SEPT 2009
Lakeview Memorial Gardens; Longview, Gregg County, Texas
See image data for embedded GPS latitude/longitude coordinates. It may be necessary to convert degree-minute-second to decimal format for use on Google Earth, etc.
Posted 8/5/2009 Updated 8/7/2009
by Donna Collins
437th Force Support Squadron, Mortuary Affairs coordinator
8/5/2009 - CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The Charleston AFB Honor Guard team, in concert with Capt. Matthew McNulty from the 16th Airlift Squadron, presented a United States flag to the surviving widow and son of 2nd Lt. Billie Joe Bullard July 30.
This special and solemn honor was rendered at the Northwood Assembly of God in Whiteville, North Carolina.
On June 30, Mrs. Lou Verran (Bullard), the re-married widow of Lieutenant Bullard, presented a Congressional Request to the office of Congressman Mike McIntyre, 7th District, North Carolina, informing him of her wishes to receive a flag, as one was not presented to her at the time of her husband's death. Mrs. Verran's request was honored by the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Office, who then tasked the Charleston AFB Honor Guard to conduct presentations to Mrs. Verran and her son Billie Joe Bullard, Jr.
According to casualty reports, Lieutenant Bullard was declared deceased seven days after his aircraft went down in the Atlantic Ocean, 18 miles east of North Truro, Mass., Feb. 1, 1957. Lieutenant Bullard was survived by his wife, who was five months pregnant with their son Billie, parents Delbert and Carrie Bullard, and brother, Lenny Bullard of Longview, Texas.
Mrs. Verran stated rescue teams from Dover AFB were able to rescue his flight mate, but lost Lieutenant Bullard in rough waters, where his remains have not been recovered.
Lieutenant Bullard commenced his military service May 21, 1955 at Stallings AFB, Kinston N.C., as a propeller technician. On May 29, 1956, he was transferred to Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, Texas, where he received his commission and as a pilot trainee, he trained on the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star. He was then assigned to Moody AFB, Valdosta, Ga., June 15, 1956. At the time of the mishap, Lieutenant Bullard was assigned to the 58th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Otis AFB, Mass., which was inactivated in 1977. Bullard Street, in the industrial area of now Otis Air National Guard Base, was named in honor of Liutenant Bullard.
Mrs. Verran stated she did not know what to expect. Her Minister, Tim Raush, retired Air Force master sergeant, attempted to describe what the occasion would be like, but Mrs. Verran explained words could not describe what the honor meant to her. She was mostly impressed by the professionalism of the honors team. The presentation could not have been any more meaningful and has helped her to have closure after 52 years.
Mr. Billie Bullard, Jr., stated that the honor guard "is an impressive group and made us proud that my father was in the U.S. Air Force."
Mrs. Verran explained that her husband was very quiet on the surface, but was playfully mischievous and funny, always seeking to place a smile on the faces of his comrades.
The honor guard team was comprised of Staff Sgt. Akeem Parks, Staff Sgt. Michael Shaw, Senior Airman Joseph Truesdale, Senior Airman Jamal Avington, Senior Airman David Goater and Senior Airman Byron Ragland.
=========
Billie Joe Bullard, b. 4 Aug 1934, d. 1 Feb 1957
Military Inscription: TEXAS; 2D LT 58 FTR INTCP SQ AF
IN MEMORIUM
LOST AT SEA
PHOTO MADE SEPT 2009
Lakeview Memorial Gardens; Longview, Gregg County, Texas
See image data for embedded GPS latitude/longitude coordinates. It may be necessary to convert degree-minute-second to decimal format for use on Google Earth, etc.
Charleston honor guard provides belated honors for fallen Airman
Posted 8/5/2009 Updated 8/7/2009
by Donna Collins
437th Force Support Squadron, Mortuary Affairs coordinator
8/5/2009 - CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The Charleston AFB Honor Guard team, in concert with Capt. Matthew McNulty from the 16th Airlift Squadron, presented a United States flag to the surviving widow and son of 2nd Lt. Billie Joe Bullard July 30.
This special and solemn honor was rendered at the Northwood Assembly of God in Whiteville, North Carolina.
On June 30, Mrs. Lou Verran (Bullard), the re-married widow of Lieutenant Bullard, presented a Congressional Request to the office of Congressman Mike McIntyre, 7th District, North Carolina, informing him of her wishes to receive a flag, as one was not presented to her at the time of her husband's death. Mrs. Verran's request was honored by the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Office, who then tasked the Charleston AFB Honor Guard to conduct presentations to Mrs. Verran and her son Billie Joe Bullard, Jr.
According to casualty reports, Lieutenant Bullard was declared deceased seven days after his aircraft went down in the Atlantic Ocean, 18 miles east of North Truro, Mass., Feb. 1, 1957. Lieutenant Bullard was survived by his wife, who was five months pregnant with their son Billie, parents Delbert and Carrie Bullard, and brother, Lenny Bullard of Longview, Texas.
Mrs. Verran stated rescue teams from Dover AFB were able to rescue his flight mate, but lost Lieutenant Bullard in rough waters, where his remains have not been recovered.
Lieutenant Bullard commenced his military service May 21, 1955 at Stallings AFB, Kinston N.C., as a propeller technician. On May 29, 1956, he was transferred to Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, Texas, where he received his commission and as a pilot trainee, he trained on the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star. He was then assigned to Moody AFB, Valdosta, Ga., June 15, 1956. At the time of the mishap, Lieutenant Bullard was assigned to the 58th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Otis AFB, Mass., which was inactivated in 1977. Bullard Street, in the industrial area of now Otis Air National Guard Base, was named in honor of Liutenant Bullard.
Mrs. Verran stated she did not know what to expect. Her Minister, Tim Raush, retired Air Force master sergeant, attempted to describe what the occasion would be like, but Mrs. Verran explained words could not describe what the honor meant to her. She was mostly impressed by the professionalism of the honors team. The presentation could not have been any more meaningful and has helped her to have closure after 52 years.
Mr. Billie Bullard, Jr., stated that the honor guard "is an impressive group and made us proud that my father was in the U.S. Air Force."
Mrs. Verran explained that her husband was very quiet on the surface, but was playfully mischievous and funny, always seeking to place a smile on the faces of his comrades.
The honor guard team was comprised of Staff Sgt. Akeem Parks, Staff Sgt. Michael Shaw, Senior Airman Joseph Truesdale, Senior Airman Jamal Avington, Senior Airman David Goater and Senior Airman Byron Ragland.
=========
Billie Joe Bullard, b. 4 Aug 1934, d. 1 Feb 1957
Military Inscription: TEXAS; 2D LT 58 FTR INTCP SQ AF
IN MEMORIUM
LOST AT SEA
PHOTO MADE SEPT 2009
Lakeview Memorial Gardens; Longview, Gregg County, Texas
See image data for embedded GPS latitude/longitude coordinates. It may be necessary to convert degree-minute-second to decimal format for use on Google Earth, etc.
Posted 8/5/2009 Updated 8/7/2009
by Donna Collins
437th Force Support Squadron, Mortuary Affairs coordinator
8/5/2009 - CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The Charleston AFB Honor Guard team, in concert with Capt. Matthew McNulty from the 16th Airlift Squadron, presented a United States flag to the surviving widow and son of 2nd Lt. Billie Joe Bullard July 30.
This special and solemn honor was rendered at the Northwood Assembly of God in Whiteville, North Carolina.
On June 30, Mrs. Lou Verran (Bullard), the re-married widow of Lieutenant Bullard, presented a Congressional Request to the office of Congressman Mike McIntyre, 7th District, North Carolina, informing him of her wishes to receive a flag, as one was not presented to her at the time of her husband's death. Mrs. Verran's request was honored by the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Office, who then tasked the Charleston AFB Honor Guard to conduct presentations to Mrs. Verran and her son Billie Joe Bullard, Jr.
According to casualty reports, Lieutenant Bullard was declared deceased seven days after his aircraft went down in the Atlantic Ocean, 18 miles east of North Truro, Mass., Feb. 1, 1957. Lieutenant Bullard was survived by his wife, who was five months pregnant with their son Billie, parents Delbert and Carrie Bullard, and brother, Lenny Bullard of Longview, Texas.
Mrs. Verran stated rescue teams from Dover AFB were able to rescue his flight mate, but lost Lieutenant Bullard in rough waters, where his remains have not been recovered.
Lieutenant Bullard commenced his military service May 21, 1955 at Stallings AFB, Kinston N.C., as a propeller technician. On May 29, 1956, he was transferred to Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, Texas, where he received his commission and as a pilot trainee, he trained on the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star. He was then assigned to Moody AFB, Valdosta, Ga., June 15, 1956. At the time of the mishap, Lieutenant Bullard was assigned to the 58th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Otis AFB, Mass., which was inactivated in 1977. Bullard Street, in the industrial area of now Otis Air National Guard Base, was named in honor of Liutenant Bullard.
Mrs. Verran stated she did not know what to expect. Her Minister, Tim Raush, retired Air Force master sergeant, attempted to describe what the occasion would be like, but Mrs. Verran explained words could not describe what the honor meant to her. She was mostly impressed by the professionalism of the honors team. The presentation could not have been any more meaningful and has helped her to have closure after 52 years.
Mr. Billie Bullard, Jr., stated that the honor guard "is an impressive group and made us proud that my father was in the U.S. Air Force."
Mrs. Verran explained that her husband was very quiet on the surface, but was playfully mischievous and funny, always seeking to place a smile on the faces of his comrades.
The honor guard team was comprised of Staff Sgt. Akeem Parks, Staff Sgt. Michael Shaw, Senior Airman Joseph Truesdale, Senior Airman Jamal Avington, Senior Airman David Goater and Senior Airman Byron Ragland.
=========
Billie Joe Bullard, b. 4 Aug 1934, d. 1 Feb 1957
Military Inscription: TEXAS; 2D LT 58 FTR INTCP SQ AF
IN MEMORIUM
LOST AT SEA
PHOTO MADE SEPT 2009
Lakeview Memorial Gardens; Longview, Gregg County, Texas
See image data for embedded GPS latitude/longitude coordinates. It may be necessary to convert degree-minute-second to decimal format for use on Google Earth, etc.
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