William H. Tunner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William H. Tunner
William H. Tunner in 1943
Birth name	William Henry Tunner
Nickname(s)	Willie the Whip Tonnage Tunner
Born	(1906-07-14)July 14, 1906 Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	April 6, 1983(1983-04-06) (aged 76) Gloucester, Virginia, U.S.
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Air Force United States Army Air Forces United States Army Air Corps
Years of service	1928–1960
Rank	Lieutenant general
Commands held	Ferrying Division, ATC India-China Division, ATC Combined Air Lift Task Force United States Air Forces Europe Military Air Transport Service
Battles/wars	World War II, Korean War
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross, German Great Cross of Merit with star

William Henry Tunner (born July 14, 1906 – died April 6, 1983) was an important general officer in the United States Air Force. He was known for being an expert at leading huge military airlift missions.

He commanded the "The Hump" operation during World War II. This mission flew supplies over mountains from India to China. Later, he led the Berlin Airlift in 1949–1951. This airlift delivered supplies to West Berlin when the Soviet Union blocked all ground routes.

Tunner eventually became a Lieutenant general. He also led the Military Air Transport Service (MATS). In 1942, he helped create the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Service. This group allowed women pilots to fly planes for the military.

Military Career Highlights

Early Air Force Days

William Tunner joined the United States Military Academy in 1924. He became a second lieutenant in 1928. Soon after, he chose to join the Air Corps. He started flight training in Texas. In September 1929, he earned his pilot's wings.

His first job was flying a large bomber in California. He also got to fly transport planes. Later, he became a flying instructor. He served in the Panama Canal Zone and Georgia. By 1938, he had become a captain.

In 1941, Tunner was promoted to major. He started working in Washington, D.C. He helped with personnel assignments for the Air Corps.

Leading Air Transport Operations

Before World War II, Tunner played a key role in forming the Air Transport Command (ATC). This group was created to deliver aircraft from factories to overseas locations. Tunner quickly rose through the ranks. He became a lieutenant colonel in January 1942 and a full colonel in March 1942.

The ATC's mission grew to include transporting supplies, people, and equipment worldwide. Tunner helped organize this huge effort. He became the commander of the Domestic Division in April 1942. This division was in charge of delivering aircraft within the U.S.

Women Pilots in the War

Tunner was also important in creating the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) in September 1942. This program allowed civilian women pilots to fly military planes. They would move planes from factories to airfields. This program later joined with another to become the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPS).

"The Hump" Airlift

In June 1943, Tunner was promoted to Brigadier general. In 1944, he was chosen to lead the vital airlift operation from India to China. This mission was known as "The Hump". It involved flying supplies over the dangerous Himalayan mountains.

Tunner's goal was to increase the amount of cargo flown. He also needed to reduce the high number of accidents. He added larger C-54 Skymaster cargo planes. He also created a new, wider route called the "Low Hump". Tunner started programs to improve maintenance and flying safety. These efforts greatly reduced accidents. He more than doubled the amount of supplies delivered.

After the war, Tunner returned to the U.S. He continued to hold important leadership roles in the ATC. In July 1946, he was promoted to Major general.

Forming the U.S. Air Force

In September 1947, the Army Air Forces became the United States Air Force. The Military Air Transport Service (MATS) was formed. It combined the ATC and the Naval Air Transport Service. Tunner was chosen to be the deputy commander for operations in MATS.

The Berlin Airlift

Tunner's skill in managing airlifts was soon needed again. In July 1948, he was sent to Germany to improve the Berlin Airlift. This operation was supplying West Berlin after the Soviet Union blocked all ground access.

When Tunner arrived, the airlift was disorganized. He quickly brought order to the operation. He added more C-54 planes and had crews fly 24 hours a day. Tunner made each air corridor a one-way path. This greatly improved how quickly planes could deliver supplies. His strict leadership and clever solutions earned him the nickname "Willie-the-Whip". Under his command, the airlift delivered more supplies by air than had ever been brought in by train.

Korean War Efforts

After the Berlin Airlift, Tunner returned to MATS. When the Korean War began, he went to Japan. In September 1950, he commanded a new airlift group called Combat Cargo Command.

This command provided airlift support for the Battle of Inchon and other airborne operations. Tunner's success in Korea earned him the Distinguished Service Cross. In just four and a half months, his command flew over 32,000 missions. They delivered over 130,000 tons of cargo and carried over 155,000 passengers. They also evacuated nearly 73,000 injured people.

In 1953, Tunner became the commander of United States Air Forces in Europe. He held this position for four years. In 1958, he returned to lead MATS. He strongly supported the development of the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter jet transport plane. This plane became a key aircraft for MATS.

Tunner retired from the Air Force on May 31, 1960.

Tunner's Lasting Impact

• The Lieutenant General William H. Tunner Award is given each year. It honors the best strategic airlift crew in the United States Air Force.
• The USAF uses a large aircraft loader called the "60K Tunner Materiel Handling Equipment (MHE)". This equipment was named after him. It helps load and unload large cargo planes.
• Tunner was the first person to receive the Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame Award in 1989.
• A street in Berlin, Germany, is named after him.

Personal Life

William Tunner was the fourth of five children. His parents were immigrants from Austria. His family had a history of being experts in mining and metals. His father was also an engineer. Tunner grew up in Roselle, New Jersey.

Tunner was married twice. He had two sons, Joseph and William Jr., with his first wife, Sarah Margaret Sams. After Sarah's death, he married Margaret Ann Hamilton in 1951. They had one daughter, Hamilton Suzanne.

See also

• General Albert Wedemeyer
• List of commanders of USAFE