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, U.S.
Died	April 6, 1983(1983-04-06) (aged 76) Ware Neck, Virginia, U.S.
Buried	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	Ferrying Division, ATC 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 Distinguished Service Medal (4) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal (2) Air Medal (3) Order of the Bath Order of the Sacred Tripod 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.^[1] 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.