William Francis MullenMajorMWHS-1, MWHG-1, 1ST MAW United States Marine Corps 28 March 1935 - 05 May 1976 Brockton, Massachusetts Panel 07E Line 011 |
 
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The database page for William Francis Mullen
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The gates of heaven are fearlessly guarded by the courage of those who have gone before us. You Will Always Be In Eternal Memory
From a friend and bearer of his bracelet, |
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As a young child in the early 70s the Vietnam War was just a news blip to me until my mother gave me $5 to buy an MIA bracelet. The name inscribed on mine was Capt. William F. Mullen. I had no idea who he was, what role he played or how he came to be a POW until today. That bracelet made the war concrete for me and I thought often of who he was and what it must be like to be missing from family and friends. I wore that bracelet 24 hours a day for years until it broke from wear and tear. I still wear his name forever in my heart.
JSC |
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My introduction to Major Mullen is much like the others in this memorial. As a 14 year old on a trip to Washington D.C. in 1993, I purchased Major Mullen's memorial bracelet not far from the "Wall" itself. I always had a profound respect for those men (including my father) who put the terror of war aside, and served for their children, wives, comrades, and country. Everyone gave something for that war; Major Mullen, and 52,201 other men and women gave up everything. I hope my next introduction to Major Bill Mullen will be in person someday... where ever that might be.
Jeremy Carnahan |
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I wanted to let the family of Capt. Mullen I have a very dear friend who has two of her sons who are active in the war now. Alive and well Thank God. I can't imagine what it must feel like not to have a family member come back from war.
My prayers will always be with you and your family. |
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I have had Captain Mullen's "POW" bracelet since 1969. I have always wondered if he were still with us, and I just realized that he will always be with us as long as we remember him. The wierdest thing is that my daughter was born on his birthday, March 28th. It is one of the few pieces of my past I have kept and cherished all these years. Never forget the sacrifices of our servicepersons and their families.
Barbara Waringer |
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I served with Lt William F. Mullen in VMA-332 1959-1960. I remember a lot of good times with him in Iwakuni, Japan. It was a privilege to serve with him.
From a fellow Marine, |
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"For those of my brothers who have fought and died, their sacrifice will be echoed in the hearts and minds of the free." From one Marine to another - I have never met you but I will forever hold your memory and your bracelet.
Corporal Hafner |
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I also have an MIA bracelet with William Mullen's name on it. My sixth grade teacher got them for us (obviously a very long time ago!). I did some research a few years back and was saddened to learn that he did not return home. I still have that bracelet and it will remain forever in my possession. As others have said, it is a reminder of the sacrifice that all branches of our armed services make for us. He made the ultimate sacrifice. My thoughts, prayers and gratitude go out to his family and to all members of our military.
Kim Adams |
Notes from The Virtual WallAccounts of Captain William "Moon" Mullen's loss vary somewhat. The POW Network has the simple statement that"On April 29, 1966, Capt. Mullen was sent on a combat mission near the Ban Karai Pass in Laos. When the time arrived that he should have returned, and he had not, the Marines began to try to find him. Bill Mullen was never found."while the Task Force Omega (TFO) site says that "At 1235 hours, during a series of attacks by US Marine Corps and US Air Force aircraft on an important communist installation that was known to be protected by a large number of anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) sites, ten aircraft were hit and two shot down. The Air Force crew of the other downed aircraft was later rescued. Capt. Mullen, the last man in his flight, was pulling up and away from the target after completing his bomb run. ... [and] was believed to be unharmed until he failed to initiate a normal radio check."Hobson, in "Vietnam Air Losses" gives a third version: "Captain Mullen was taking part in a strike against gun emplacements near the Ban Karai Pass in Laos, near the DMZ, when he was shot down on his first low level pass. His aircraft was last seen on fire entering cloud and heading towards the north."The implication in the POW Network statement is that Captain Mullen was flying a single-aircraft strike. He was not. The TFO statement implies a massed USMC/USAF effort which resulted in two losses; that too is demonstrably incorrect. The United States lost six aircraft on 29 April 1966, and none of the other five aircraft was anywhere near the Ban Karai area:
"5. CASUALTIES. (U) Captain William F. MULLEN, Group S-2 [Intelligence] Officer, was reported as missing in action while on a strike mission while flying with a local A4E squadron." Regardless of the exact details of the loss, Captain Mullen was not recovered and was placed in MIA status. On 05 May 1976 the Secretary of the Navy approved a Presumptive Finding of Death for William Mullen, who was promoted to Major while in MIA status. As of 10 Jan 2003, his remains have not been repatriated. |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 10 Jan 2003
Last updated 08/10/2009