Thomas Henry McMullen

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose A. "Andy" Chacon on May 24, 2009:

Thomas Henry McMullen Born July 4, 1929 -- Died May 20, 2009 Thomas Henry "Tom" McMullen was born 4 July 1929, in Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from Alamo Heights High School, San Antonio, Texas and attended St. Mary's University in San Antonio for two years before being appointed to West Point from the 7th Congressional District. At West Point Tom was known as part time hive, lover and Texan. It was said that what he wanted were: Ring, Car, and Graduation. He did a stretch on the area and earned Major "A's" in Cross Country and in Track. On graduation Tom went in the Air Force. He went to pilot training at Hondo AFB, Texas, and received his pilot wings at Bryan AFB, Texas. He then completed fighter combat crew training at Nellis AFB, NV. In December 1952 he was assigned to the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing at Suwon, Korea. He served as flight commander and flew 78 combat missions in F-86s earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and 2 Air Medals. In November 1953 Tom went to Kelly AFB, TX as flight test maintenance officer. He test-flew all types of aircraft after they had undergone depot maintenance and was awarded the Commendation Medal. In 1959 he joined the General Dynamics Air Force Plant Representative Office in Fort Worth and for the next three years was a B-58 flight acceptance pilot. He then went to AFIT in September 1962 and two years later, having earned a Masters degree in engineering, was assigned to the Space Systems Division at Los Angeles Air Force Station, CA, as project officer in the Gemini Launch Vehicle System Program Office. On completion of this assignment Tom was awarded a second Commendation Medal. In February 1967 Tom went to Vietnam as air liaison officer for the 25th Infantry Division at Cu Chi and flew more than 450 combat missions in O-1 Bird Dogs. He was decorated with the Silver Star, a second Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, 17 Air Medals, and the Purple Heart. On return from Nam in March 1968 Tom joined NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C., as assistant mission director of the Apollo program until August 1970. From August 1970 to August 1971 he was a student at ICAF, Fort Lesley McNair, Washington, D.C. Tom then was assigned as deputy system program director and deputy for B-1, Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, and served as such until May 1973 when he was named system program director and deputy for A-10, Aeronautical Systems Division, also at Wright-Patterson AFB. On completion of this tour in November 1974 Tom was decorated with the Legion of Merit. From December 1974 to August 1975 Tom served as Vice Commander, USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center, Eglin AFB, Florida. In September 1975 he was appointed Commander of the Center and served until September 1976. From October 1976 to March 1979 Tom served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Requirements, Headquarters, Tactical Air Command, Langley AFB, VA., and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. He then went to Andrews AFB, MD., where he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Force Systems Command from March 1979 to June 1980. Tom then served as Vice Commander, Tactical Air Command, Langley AFB, VA., from July 1980 to July 1982. He was awarded a second Distinguished Service Medal. Tom's last military assignment was as Commander, Aeronautical Systems Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio where he received his third Distinguished Service Medal. Tom retired from the Air Force on July 1, 1986 exactly 39 years after taking the Oath of Allegiance at Trophy Point with the rank of Lieutenant General. In retirement he continues to serve as a Consultant. Tom and his wife Clara made their home in Alexandria, Virginia.

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