The Pentagon has identified the remains of 1st Lt. James L. Hull, a Lubbock, Tex., native who was killed on Feb. 19, 1971. The O-2A Skymaster Hull and another airman were flying crashed near Vietnam’s border with Laos. US forces recovered the other crewman’s body but couldn’t retrieve Hull’s, which was buried in the wreckage, because of enemy action. Investigations between 1993 and 1997 ultimately led to a crash site just inside Laos. In May 2006, a team got permission to excavate and recovered human and other remains.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.