Bryant P. Culberson

Preferred Name: Bryant

Nickname/Call Sign: Tonto 4

Date of Birth: May 6, 1940

Highest Military Grade Held: Colonel, O6

Hometown: Wetumpka, AL

  • Culberson Bryant Official Photo
  • Culberson Bryant Recent

Biography

On take-off for a training mission at Cannon AFB, I heard a loud bump and was told by the tower that I was on fire. The SOF advised me to eject. I checked my instruments and everything appeared normal with no warning lights but I looked in the mirror and saw the flames.

I decided to get enough altitude for a safe ejection but was not going to jump out unless I found something definitely showing a fire. When I came out of burner, the fire went out. I had a wingman check me over and he said I was pouring fuel from the left wing tank and that the left gun bay door was missing. When I landed I found out that the gun bay door had not been secured and came off on rotation and that the fuel tank had a big hole in the inboard side. Another day at the office.

Units Assigned

  • 1967 931st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam (F-100)

Awards & Decorations

Silver Star
Bronze Star
Air Medal (7)
Legion of Merit

Flight Info

F-100 – About 100 hours

Military Education

  • SOS
  • ACSC, National
  • War College
  • Air War College

Civilian Education

  • BS, USAF Academy
  • MPA, Auburn University
Biography

Biography

On take-off for a training mission at Cannon AFB, I heard a loud bump and was told by the tower that I was on fire. The SOF advised me to eject. I checked my instruments and everything appeared normal with no warning lights but I looked in the mirror and saw the flames.

I decided to get enough altitude for a safe ejection but was not going to jump out unless I found something definitely showing a fire. When I came out of burner, the fire went out. I had a wingman check me over and he said I was pouring fuel from the left wing tank and that the left gun bay door was missing. When I landed I found out that the gun bay door had not been secured and came off on rotation and that the fuel tank had a big hole in the inboard side. Another day at the office.

Units - Education - Awards - Flight Info

Units Assigned

  • 1967 931st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam (F-100)

Awards & Decorations

Silver Star
Bronze Star
Air Medal (7)
Legion of Merit

Flight Info

F-100 – About 100 hours

Military Education

  • SOS
  • ACSC, National
  • War College
  • Air War College

Civilian Education

  • BS, USAF Academy
  • MPA, Auburn University
Photos