Members of the Georgia Department of Defense Honor 2nd Lt. Eugene
Bullard Oct. 9, 2019 at the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force
commander of the Georgia Air National Guard’s 116th Air Control
Wing; Chief Master Sgt. Washington, senior enlisted advisor, Georgia
Air National Guard; Brig. Gen. Tom Grabowski, commander of the Ga.
Air National Guard; Maj. Gen. Tom Carden, Adjutant General of the Ga.
Department of Defense and Command Sergeant Major Roy Marchert,
senior enlisted advisor of the Ga. DoD. (Photo of statue by Maj. William
Carraway.)
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Air National Guard’s 116th Air Control Wing thanked the Georgia
World War I Commission and others who contributed to the day’s
events and predicted that the Bullard statue would inspire future
generations.
“When people walk by (the statue), read the name, then Google
it and learn about his legacy, it is going to continue and propagate,
and the word will spread.”
Bullard, the son of a former slave, was born in Columbus,
Georgia, on October 9, 1895. Leaving a troubled home in 1906 at
the age of 11, Bullard wandered for six years seeking opportunity
society. In 1912, Bullard stole aboard a ship bound for the United
Kingdom. Making his way to London, Bullard found work as an
entertainer and boxer. In 1913, he visited Paris for a boxing match
and elected to stay, having found the French culture to his liking.
In August 1914, Germany declared war on France. Bullard
enlisted in the French Army in October 1914, nearly three years
before American troops entered combat. Bullard was seriously
Infantry Regiment, 48th Infantry Division. Recovering from his
wounds, Bullard volunteered for aviation service and completed
missions before the end of the war.
After the armistice, Bullard remained in France where he
worked as a musician and nightclub manager. When Germany
invaded France in 1940, Bullard again enlisted as an infantryman.
He was again wounded in action and returned to the United States
the following month after escaping German-held France. Despite
his fame overseas, Bullard faded into obscurity in his home
country. In 1961, shortly before his death, Bullard, a decorated
veteran of two world wars, whom Charles De Gaulle had dubbed
a Knight of the Legion of Honor, was working as an elevator
operator in New York City. He died October 12, 1961 at the age
of 66.
In the decades following his death, the story of Bullard’s life
and service has received greater attention. In 1989, Bullard was
inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. Five years later
he was recognized with a second lieutenant’s commission in
the U.S. Air Force. Now, more than 100 years after his historic
generations.
Speaking at a reception following the statue unveiling, Maj.
Gen. Tom Carden, Adjutant General of the Georgia Department
of Defense, spoke to the family of Eugene Bullard, the Tuskegee
Airmen and all those who contributed to the dedication of the
statue.
“They say it’s never too late to do the right thing and if I have
ever seen an example of those words in action, I have seen it here
today at this great museum,” said Carden. “I want to personally
state never forgets Eugene Bullard and what he has done for our
country.”
The message above is etched in granite on the base of the Eugene
Bullard statue at the Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB at Warner Robins,
Georgia. Second Lieutenant Eugene J. Bullard, a native of Columbus,
The World War I Centennial Commission achieved its mission regarding
the Eugene Bullard statue unveiling on Oct. 9, 2019. (Photo by Stan
Coleman)
(5th from the left) Second Lieutenant Eugene J. Bullard statue sculptor
Gregory Johnson and Mrs. Johnson share a photo moment with members
and friends of the Tuskegee Airmen. ACTAI members attend the Eugene
Bullard statue unveiling at Robins AFB Museum of Aviation on Oct. 9,
2019. (Photo by James Hendricks)