Thomas J. Mullin of Madison died Thursday. He was the son of the late Alice A. Mullin and Thomas J. Mullin Sr. and was born in New York, N.Y. He is survived by his daughter, Nancy Mullin; grandson, Paul T. Slater; granddaughter, Meghan M. Slater; and great-grandsons, Michael Slater and Jesse Orozco, all of Madison. Prior to the United States entering World War II, Tom went to Canada and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force to train as a pilot. Upon graduating from flight training, he was sent to England and flew combat missions as an officer with the Royal Air Force in the Bomber Command. After completing his tour with the Royal Air Force, he transferred in London to the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was assigned to the 34th Bomb Group in the 8th Air Force, at Mendelsham, England. Here he flew B-17s, until the end of the war. After the war, he completed his education at New York University, earning a master's degree in political science. He was recalled to the Air Force at the outbreak of the Korean War and flew 55 night interdiction missions out of Pusan, Korea, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. After Korea, he was assigned to reconnaissance and flew high-altitude aircraft. During his military career he flew over 20 different aircraft and amassed over 7500 hours flying time. He retired from the Air Force in 1969 and began a new career as a stock broker, until he moved to Huntsville in 1994. In Huntsville, Tom became very active in the 8th Air Force Historical Society, visiting schools to talk about his experiences in World War II. He was honored in Huntsville by being named to the Madison County Hall of Heroes. Throughout his life, Tom was an avid pilot, businessman, world traveler, golfer, friend, and above all, family man. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to two of Tom's favorite charities, The Salvation Army, and The Downtown Rescue Mission, at 2320 1st Street SW, Huntsville, AL 35805.
Published in The Huntsville Times 8/12/2007, p. A16, c4 & internet