Posted on 07/13/2010 7:43:06 PM PDT by Liberty Valance
When his cardiologist warned him it would be tough to make the trip back to England to unveil a monument at the site of the Staplehurst Advanced Landing Ground commemorating the American and Canadian pilots who flew P-51 Mustangs from the base in World War II, Lt. Col. Bill Bullard, 90, told him one thing.
“Well, not as tough as the first time I tried it,” he said.
Bullard, along with his wife Birdie and daughter Linda, flew to England on June 3 to join local residents in Kent County, about an hour southeast of London, for the ceremony.
“When we got the letter that this was going to happen, I told myself we are going to go,” Bullard said in his home off of Goat Creek Road.
Bullard was part of the 363rd Fighter Group of the United States 9th Air Force, when he found himself at Staplehurst on April 14, 1944.
Along with Bullard and the 363rd, a new batch of P-51 Mustangs were sent with the group.
“We were instant heroes,” Bullard said. “All the P-51 pilots. The English treated us as heroes because we were there to turn the war around.”
Bullard flew missions to Berlin and as far as Poland, escorting bombers on their way to German positions across Europe. He flew 38 scheduled missions out of Staplehurst and 18 impromptu sorties. After D-Day, his fighter group moved to Cherbourg in
Normandy.
On his 50th mission, Bullard was hit and had to crash land his Mustang 1,000 yards inside the German line. He was captured and transported to Stalag Luft One, until he escaped near the end of the war.
Among the highlights of the trip back to Staplehurst, was watching a demo flight by a restored P-51 Mustang.
“That was so neat,” Linda Bullard said. “We had no idea that we would see a Mustang. He did a demo flight and saw that dad was so excited, he decided to take him up.”
Some time had passed since the last time Bullard took off in a P-51.
“Sixty-six years passed between flights in a P-51,” Bullard said. “I felt like I was 19 again. It felt so good.”
Bullard’s family stayed in original farmhouses near the old airfield, which has since been covered with agricultural crops.
At the ceremony on June 6, Bullard was reunited with his commander, Col. John Ulricson, 96. The pair unveiled the monument that will forever honor theirs, and the men who lost their lives, flying missions from Staplehurst.
Forty-three Mustangs never returned to the airfield after taking off for Germany.
A dinner was given after the ceremony with Bullard and Ulricson the guests of honor.
“We were just very pleased to be able to contribute to the war,” Bullard said.
Lt. Col Bullard
If he lives out Goat Creek Road, I’ve probably met this fellow.
What an amazing man Liberty! And he looks quite spry for 90 years of age.
Thank you for your service Lt. Col. Bill Bullard!
ping for 12TACR (my Dad’s bunch)
***UPDATE***
Just had another amazing encounter at the Kerrville HEB this afternoon. Met the man I posted the story about a couple days ago... Lt. Col. Bill Bullard WWII P-51 Mustang pilot. He was standing in the meat mkt minding his own business when i spotted him. I said “Col. Bullard?” and he said “yes sir that’s me”. He’s 91 years old now but you’d never know it. No glasses, big smile on his face wearing a pair of jeans with the cuffs rolled up, cowboy hat and boots. He told me what a thrill it was to fly in a Mustang one more time over England a couple weeks ago. After that he went to Holland to visit sights that were familiar to him from those days. I told him what an honor it was to get to meet him in person and thanked him for his service to our Nation. I’ll never forget this day.
Thanks Bruce.
Thanks Kathy!
He deserves our thanks.
I noticed in one of the photos (kill stickers) of a “half Swastika”. Does that mean a “shared kill” with another fighter?
My family had the pleasure to getting to know Bill & Birdie in the early 80’s. Two of the nicest people I have ever met, they became like grandparents to my young daughter. (She sent me this link).
The story given here is hardly half of what this modest man went through.
After being captured, spending time in a prison of war camp, Bill escaped and made his way back to France.
As a man of honor, to protect those involved, Bill refused to tell the full story until everyone who had assisted in his escape had passed away.
After Bill retired from the AF, he & Birdie build their Goat Creek ranch themselves. And after a flood in the late 70’s, they rebuilt it. Themselves.
I can’t think of two people I respect more.
Thanks for adding your story. It’s been over 3 years since i originally posted this story. Brings back great memories. I still think of Bill every time i see a P-51 Mustang. They don’t make people or planes like that anymore.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.