Colonel B.E. Tillotson

Col. Tillotson's military career spanned 31 years, from January 27, 1941, when his South Carolina National Guard unit was mobilized for federal service, until his retirement on February 1, 1972. During WWII he piloted the B29 bomber on 31 missions from Saipan to Tokyo. His medals and decorations included the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster. After the war he continued his Air Force career in the communications field, rising to become Deputy Commander of Communications for all of Alaska, both military and civilian. He was Deputy to the Chief of Communications for NORAD at Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs before he retired from active duty.