Alumnus Flew Rescue Missions in Air Force

Air Force Vet Flew Rescue Missions By JEREMY P. AMICK

Walter Shull became interested in aviation after his parents purchased for him and his twin brother flight training hours at the airport in

Jefferson City while they were still in high school. A few years later, when attending college at Central Methodist University in

Fayette, he went on to finish the requirements to earn his civilian pilot’s license, which was a decision that soon influenced the direction of his military career.

Graduating from college in January 1967,

Shull soon received notice to report for the military draft. In an effort to have some choice in his service branch, he tested for the U.S. Air Force and was soon accepted into their pilot training program.

“My initial officer’s training was at

Medina Air Force Base in San Antonio, followed by pilot’s training at Williams Air

Force Base south of Phoenix,” he said. “While in Arizona, they brought in all different types of aircraft, and that’s when I became interested in the HC-130 because of the various types of missions it could perform.”

The HC-130 is an airframe based upon the

Lockheed C-130 and was designed to refuel helicopters and conduct search and rescue operations and was even employed to assist in the retrieval of the Apollo astronauts once they returned from space.

“Since I finished second in my class, I had the choice of the type of aircraft I wanted to fly, so I chose the HC-130, and I am sure glad that I did,” he affirmed.

Following several months of training on the C-130 at Seward Air Force Base near

Nashville, he completed rescue school at

Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The young pilot then volunteered for service at Clark

Air Base in the Philippines. While there, he flew missions to rescue downed pilots off the coast of South Vietnam. “My first 18 months of flying was primarily over water instead of the land,” he said. During these rescue missions, the HC130 would serve as the airborne mission commander while jets flew in formation offering 14 The Talon | Fall 2020

protection. A helicopter accompanied the group, which could be refueled by the HC-130 and could enter the area where the downed pilot was located.

While in the Philippines, Shull met an Air Force nurse named Libby. After he was transferred to Hamilton Air Force Base in California in November 1970, he continued to maintain contact with Libby, who had been transferred to an Air Force base in Arkansas.

“We were engaged to be married but had to delay the marriage because I got orders for Vietnam in December 1971,” he explained. “I spent about a year in Vietnam doing rescue missions over the land. When I came back, Libby and I were married in December of 1972 and decided it would be best if she left the Air Force, since we would probably not be stationed together while we were both on active duty.”

Shull went on to complete a number of Air Force assignments throughout the U.S. during the next few years that included the rescue of fishermen stranded at sea, searching for lost hikers, and retrieving weather balloons in descent so the information collected could be analyzed before being contaminated by certain elements present at lower altitudes.

“After we were married, I was transferred to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and flew rescue aircraft while also serving as an instructor pilot,” he said. “In 1977, I was transferred to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, where I worked in the rescue coordination center.”

In Alaska, the center coordinated more than 400 missions a year, including the rescue of the passengers and crew of the MS Prinsendam — a Dutch cruise ship that suffered an out-of-control engine fire in October 1980 off the coast of Alaska. Although the Coast Guard took the lead in the rescue of the more than 500 people aboard, the Air Force helped coordinate and provide resources for the effort.

During their moves, Libby often worked part-time at local hospitals while raising their two sons. The family moved to Scott Air Force Base in 1981, remaining there for the next six years, where Shull worked as director of operations command and control for Headquarters Air Rescue and Recovery Service and later the 23rd Air Force.

Editor’s note: This is a portion of a story written for the Jefferson City News Tribune and published on September 13 on behalf of the Silver Star Families of America. The full article can be found at https://www.newstribune. com/news/news/story/2020/sep/14/air-forceveteran-flew-rescue-missions-stateside-andvietnam-war/841283/

Stafford Grant Brings Assembly Hall Closer To Finish Line

The renovation of the Central Methodist Stafford and Lois Smith Stafford and has University Assembly Hall is one step generously distributed over $1.5 million in gifts closer to completion. In early fall 2020, to local charitable organizations that benefit the Central received word that the institution Central Missouri community. would be awarded funding from the Stafford The renovation of Assembly Hall has been a Family Charitable Trust in the form of a $10,000 labor of love for many months, and as the project grant. These funds will provide the resources nears completion, excitement over the possible necessary to outfit the office spaces, conference uses of the space has grown. Not only will the rooms, and entry way of Assembly Hall as the Center for Faith and Service call Assembly Center for Faith and Service takes up residence. Hall home, the space will be utilized to further

According to the organization, the trust engage with community organizations through was established in 1988 by the late J.W. “Stan” music ministry outreach.

photographed structures in Fayette. It has been the backdrop for community bands, CMU bands, and individual performances for half a century. And, it’s starting to show wear.

So, in stepped Murph Tetley, ‘71, and some of his classmates to do something about it. “I got married the summer it was built,” said Tetley, who lives in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. “And I helped the contractor build it. Makes perfect sense that I get involved again.” As the 50th anniversary of the current bandstand approaches, Tetley has enlisted some assistance to help with repairs. He’s already contacted Howard County about a dedication ceremony next year, and he’s busy raising funds. Tetley still has the program from 1971 when Phi Mu Alpha filled the courthouse lawn for a dedication ceremony in honor of Keith Anderson ‘57 and Thomas Birch IV, two former band directors.

Tetley says a plaque was later added to remember the late band director Keith House

“Community outreach and recruiting are vital pieces of our Music Ministry program,” Dr. David Witter, director of CMU’S Music Ministry program explained. “Part of our outreach mission has been engaging with local nursing homes and residential care facilities to provide them with uplifting praise music. In the age of COVID, however, we need to expand our normal video and recording practices to enable a connection with those places.”

The benefit of the Center for Faith and Service Assembly Hall project will extend well beyond the Howard County area and into other parts of central Missouri, ensuring Central Methodist continues to give back to the community that has sustained the institution

Plan In Works To Update Bandstand For 50th Anniversary

The bandstand on the grounds of the Howard County courthouse is definitely one of the most

since 1854. ’49 as well as Nancy ’52 and Ken ’51 Seward. But alumni want to add a plaque for former band director Paul A. Montemurro ‘58, as well.

“Central has had some incredible band directors for many years,” Tetley said.

A public Facebook group, “The Howard County Bandstand,” has been created to keep up with plans. Tetley said date for the dedication ceremony is Saturday, April 17. Start time is 2 p.m.

The original bandstand, constructed in the 1888, fell into disrepair in the 1930s and was torn down in the 1940s. Phi Mu Alpha members noticed an old photograph of the bandstand and launched a campaign to replicate it, according to Fayette historian Jim Steele ’64. The bandstand was dedicated in 1971. Co-chairman of the fundraising committee was, of course, Tetley, along with Robert Bray, ’70.

This time around, Tetley is working with numerous alumni.