- Richard Bull (1914–1942)
Infobox Military Person
name= Richard Bull
born= birth date|1914|7|14
died= death date and age|1942|2|5|1914|7|14
placeofbirth=New York City , New York
placeofdeath= Shot down nearAmbon Island
caption= Richard Bull (1914-1942)
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Navy
serviceyears= 1938-1942
rank=Ensign
commands=
unit=
battles=World War II
awards= Distinguished Flying Cross
laterwork=Richard Bull (
14 July 1914 –5 February 1942 ) was aUnited States Navy aviator duringWorld War II .He was born in
New York City on14 July 1914 . He enlisted in the Navy on16 July 1938 atMiami, Florida , and underwent flight training at theNaval Air Station Pensacola , Fla., before winning his wings on12 October 1939 . Appointed ensign on21 November 1939 , he was assigned toPatrol Squadron 22 (PatRon 22) on that date. On28 November 1940 , Ens. Bull was designated a patrol plane commander.Transferred with his squadron to the
East Indies early in World War II, Ens. Bull took part in the gallant efforts ofPatrol Wing 10 (PatWing 10) as its slow, ungainlyPBY Catalina flying boat s hunted for elements of the Japanese fleet.On
21 January 1942 , a temporary appointment aslieutenant (junior grade) was sent to Bull, but no record of his execution of the oath of office has been found. While on patrol off the coast ofBorneo on23 January 1942 , Bull discovered a transport and twodestroyer s. Driven off byantiaircraft fire, he persistently remained in the vicinity and, as a result, sighted 26 ships a short time later. During anotherreconnaissance flight in the vicinity of the island of Ambon in theNetherlands East Indies on5 February 1942 , Bull searched for an enemyaircraft carrier group reported to be nearby. He ran afoul of enemy fighters and was never seen again. For his "extraordinary flying achievement, courage and devotion to duty" in carrying out this mission, Bull received the posthumous award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.Namesake
In 1943, two ships were named USS "Bull" in Lt. Bull's honor.
ee also
References
:DANFS
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