This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Betty Sparrow-Family
to remember
Pulliam, John H., Capt.
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Date of Passing Nov 10, 1964
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Rec'd 23 Jul 2010:
"... I'm just trying to hear from people my "deceased in active duty" husband knew. Perhaps it's too long ago--during Cold War era & Strategic Air Command. John was a Bombardier on a B-52 & earlier in B-47"s. The plane went down testing terrain avoidance equipment to be used in Viet Nam. They changed the bombays to use conventional bombs. We were station at the 327th combat squadron, Larson AFB, Moses Lake, WA living through long alert tours, Cuban Missle Crisis, etc.,etc."
Betty Sparrow
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Crashed whilst on night low-level mission.
2255 MST
B-52-D-65-BO
462nd SAW
Tail: 55-0108
60 mi S of Glasgow AFB, MT
Crew fatalities:
Pilot/Commander:Capt Guido J Pizzeck Jr USAF killed.
Co-pilot:Capt Willis C Morris USAF killed.
Nav:Capt John H Pulliam USAF killed.
Nav:Capt Jerry W Berendzen USAF killed.
EWO:1st/Lt Daniel C Woodward USAF killed.
Nav:1st/Lt David L Harlan USAF killed.
AG:Tech/Sgt Edwin Fonzy Arlington USAF killed.
In October of 1956, the Squadron was scheduled to convert to the B-52D Stratofortress retaining its designation. Events in the fall of 1956 would delay the conversion to B-52. The Suez Crisis and Eastern Europe conflicts required the wing and squadrons to remain operational, and were on "cocked ground alert" into the second week of December. The 327th was not operational from 5 February 1957 to 1 June 1957. 327th B-52 operations continued through February 1963, with training missions to improve and maintain proficiency, served on Ground Alert, and participated in a seven month test of Airborne Alert missions during 3 March, to 6 October 1959. The airborne alert test would earn the second AFOUA.
In July, 1960, the 327th began the movement of the squadron’s personnel, aircraft and equipment to Larson AFB, WA. This was the completion of the dispersal program to reduce vulnerability of large (three squadron 45 B-52) unit at one base. The 326th would move to Glasgow AFB MT in February, 1961. On setup at Larson, the squadron resumed alert duties and training under the command of the 4170th Strategic Wing.
In an effort to honor heritage units of the past, on 1 February 1963, the 4170th SW and 327th BS when SAC inactivated its provisional Strategic Wings, redesignating them permanent Air Force Wings. Squadron was inactivated with aircraft/personnel/equipment being redesignated 768th Bombardment Squadron in an in-place, name-only transfer.
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Information: Feb 26, 2012
Sender
Message
Steve Smolinske
Information Related to your TWS Remembrance Profile #122351
I am responding to Betty's post, My Father Charles R. Smolinske was a crew chief stationed at Larson and was scheduled on this flight. At the last minute the B52 he was responsible for developed some sort of problem that affected its readiness and he had to opt out on this flight to work on his plane. Captain Pizzeck and my father were supposed to pick me and his son up from the base nursery after they landed. I was only four at the time and was told this story by my Mother, however I do remember her telling me of the accident as I was friends with the Captain's son. Both my mother and father have passed away, Mom a few years ago from Cancer and Dad one year after receiving the DFC in Vietnam, he was killed in a pedestrian accident while crossing the street. I remember when they dedicated the plaque in Montana to the Crew, Mom had talked with Guido's wife about the ceremony, at the time I believe she was living in Louisiana.
