Richard S. Bull

Richard Salisbury Bull, Jr. was born in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, on 6 January 1913. Graduating from the United States Naval Academy, he was commissioned ensign on 4 June 1936. Trained as a naval aviator in 1938–39 at NAS Pensacola, Fla., he served in the fleet in 1941. He became a naval observer assigned to the American Embassy in London, England.

Reporting for duty as a fighter pilot on board Lexington (CV-2) on 27 December 1941, he missed out on the early raids against the Japanese as his squadron (VF-2) was converting from Buffalos to Wildcats (their place being taken by the Grumman-equipped VF-3). In the Battle of the Coral Sea, with VF-2's return to the Lexington, he finally got his chance to see action. On 8 May 1942, he led the escort section assigned to Lexington's Air Group Commander, Cdr. William B. Ault. After Ault and his men had dive-bombed the carrier Shokaku, scoring one hit, Bull and his wingman, Ens. John B. Bain, found themselves jumped by Zeros. Bain managed to fight his way out, but Bull was never seen again. He was posthumously awarded earned the Distinguished Flying Cross.