William H. Tunner

William H. Tunner
William H. Tunner in 1943
Birth name	William Henry Tunner
Nickname(s)	Willie the Whip Tonnage Tunner
Born	(1906-07-14)July 14, 1906 Elizabeth, New Jersey
Died	April 6, 1983(1983-04-06) (aged 76) Gloucester, Virginia
Buried at	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Air Force United States Army Air Forces United States Army Air Corps
Years of service	1928-1960
Rank	Lieutenant general
Commands held	India-China Division, ATC Combined Air Lift Task Force United States Air Forces Europe Military Air Transport Service
Battles/wars	World War II, Korean War
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross, German Great Cross of Merit with star

William Henry Tunner (July 14, 1906 - April 6, 1983) was a general officer in the United States Air Force and its predecessor, the United States Army Air Forces. Tunner was known for his expertise in the command of large-scale military airlift operations, first in Air Transport Command (ATC) during World War II, commanding The Hump operation, and later in Military Air Transport Service (MATS) during the Berlin Airlift in 1949-1951. He eventually rose to the rank of Lieutenant general and commanded MATS itself.

Tunner appointed Nancy Love to the staff of his first major command in 1942 and was a key figure in the planning and creation of the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Service.

Tunner entered the United States Military Academy on July 1, 1924, appointed from the 5th District of New Jersey by United States Representative Ernest R. Ackerman. He was commissioned on June 9, 1928, as a second lieutenant of field artillery, then selected the Air Corps as his branch of service, commissioned 2nd lieutenant AC on September 8, 1928, when he entered flight training at Brooks Field, Texas. At the Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, he received his final flight check from Capt. Claire Chennault and was awarded his pilot's wings in September 1929.