William Chipman Tunis – Colonel, United States Air Force

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From a contemporary press report

William C. Tunis, 75, a retired Air Force colonel who served in World War II and the Vietnam War, died of pneumonia and heart disease February 20, 2000 at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, Virginia.

Colonel Tunis served more than 26 years in the military, primarily as a B-66 Destroyer pilot in reconnaissance and electronic warfare configurations.

During World War II, he flew 35 missions over Germany and France as a B-24 Liberator bombardier and navigator, and in the Vietnam War, he flew missions over Vietnam as commander of the 19th Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron out of Kadena Air Base in Japan.

His military honors included the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.

He had other assignments in Germany, England, Norway and Thailand before retiring from active military duty in 1975 and opening a chemical company in Stuart, Florida.

Colonel Tunis, a Vienna resident since 1993, was born in Detroit and raised in Silver Spring, where he graduated from Montgomery Blair High School. He graduated from Georgetown University in 1948.

His wife, Theresa Tunis, died in 1993, and a son, Mark C. Tunis, died in 1981.

Survivors include a son, Hampton Tunis of Vienna.

TUNIS, WILLIAM C. ”BILL”, Col, USAF (Ret.)

Of Vienna, VA on February 20, 2000, age 75, at Fair Oaks Hospital. Beloved husband of the late Theresa Tunis; father of Hampton Tunis and the late Mark Tunis, Capt, USAF (Ret.). He is also survived by many good friends. Services will be held at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel, Wednesday, March 1, at 11 a.m., with full military honors. Interment Arlington National Cemetery.

TUNIS, WILLIAM CHIPMAN

  • COL   US AIR FORCE
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 01/31/1942 – 01/31/1975
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 07/13/1924
  • DATE OF DEATH: 02/20/2000
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 03/01/2000
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 66  SITE 5893
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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