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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:

Col Bryant Culberson (USAF Ret)

Bryant's interest in aviation began at an early age. His career interest was focused on flying. The Air Force Academy seemed the best approach to that end and after four years of hard work, Bryant graduated in 1963. It was then off to Reese AFB, Texas for pilot training and subsequent assignment to Perrin AFB, Texas and Tyndall AFB, Florida for training in the F-102 and F-101 interceptor aircraft. Initial operation assignment in 1964 was to Otis AFB, Massachusetts as an F-101 pilot.

In 1966 he volunteered to go to Viet Nam and was sent to Cannon AFB, New Mexico to check out in the F-100. Shortly thereafter he was assigned to the 3rd TFW at Bien Hoa and flew the F-100 until the big buildup of Army troops in 1967. Because of that, many in-country fighter pilots became instant Forward Air Controllers and flew the O-1e while directing close air support for Army forces. He was wounded in the Battle of Dak To. While in recuperation, he became an instructor for the AF Academy Military Training Department and stayed in that position until 1971.

Next assignment was the F-111 at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho for three years followed by Air Command and Staff College, graduating as a Distinguished Graduate in 1975. He served in the 9th Air Force HQ, at Shaw AFB South Carolina as a plans officer for two years and was selected Below the Zone for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. That led to a one-year stint as a Research Fellow for HQ USAF Concepts and Doctrine Division and then attendance at the National War College in 1979. He then became an advisor to the US Military Training Mission in Saudi Arabia where he was a detachment commander flying the F-5 until the fall of 1980. Next he was assigned to HQ Pacific Command in Hawaii as a Plans and Programs Officer. In 1982, he was promoted to Colonel and went to HQ Tactical Air Command as the Deputy Director of Operational Plans and Programs and thereafter became the Commander of the 2nd Aircraft Delivery Group at Langley AFB. In 1985, Bryant was assigned to the 552nd Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing at Tinker AFB, OK as the Commander for Operations. In1987, he went to the Air War College at Maxwell AFB Alabama as a professor and later the Chairman of the Department of Military Studies. He retired in 1993. During his career, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Silver Star for gallantry in combat, the Bronze Star for bravery in combat, seven Air Medals, and 12 other decorations.

He resides in Wetumpka in his home state of Alabama with his wife, Maura, the former District Judge of Elmore County.