William B. Bunker

William Beehler Bunker (30 September 1910 – 5 June 1969) was a United States Army lieutenant general who served as deputy commanding general of the United States Army Materiel Command from April 1964 until his death in 1969. Though not an aviator himself, he was largely responsible for the acquisition of close combat support aircraft for the Army before and during the Vietnam War.

Military career Before American entry into World War II, Bunker participated in the 1939–1940 engineering review of a barge canal project through Nicaragua by surveying the proposed route. It was made permanent on 10 March 1961. As Assistant Chief of Transportation for Army Aviation, Bunker helped arrange for the purchase of the CV-2 Caribou. From 1956 to 1962, he served as commanding general of the Army Transportation Materiel Command.

His temporary promotion to major general was approved on 24 February 1961. It was made permanent on 28 February 1963. He served as comptroller and director of programs for the Army Materiel Command from June 1962 to April 1964 and then became its deputy commanding general. From 1962 to 1968, he directed the expansion of the Army aircraft inventory from about 5,700 to over 11,000.

Bunker was promoted to lieutenant general effective 9 May 1966 after having received Senate confirmation. He died from a heart attack in his quarters at Fort Myer, Virginia two months before his scheduled retirement on 1 August 1969.

Honors Bunker received three awards of the Legion of Merit during his career. Presentation of the Army Distinguished Service Medal at his retirement ceremony had already been approved on 29 January 1969. The award was presented posthumously after his untimely death.

In 1974, Bunker was posthumously inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame for his support of its development during the 1950s. He had been cited by some as the Army's "Father of the Helicopter".

Legacy Bunker Hall at the Army Logistics University, Fort Lee, Virginia was named in his honor.

The Army logistics vessel was also named in his honor.