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 participated in aircraft carrier operations against the Japanese in February and March 1942. In the Battle of the Coral Sea 7 to 8 May, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, before failing to return from his last mission.

Namesake
In 1943, the destroyer escort USS Richard S. Bull (DE-402) was named in his honor.