James Edward Tankersley (1935-1970) served with the U.S. Airforce from 1959 – 1967 as a Captain on 5 each – 6 month duty tours as a B-52 Jet Bomber Pilot bombing North Vietnam from both Guam and Okinawa. After achieving the rank of Major in 1967 Edward was accepted to and graduated from the U.S. Air Force UH-1F Helicopter Gunship Pilot School. From 1967 – 1970 Edward served 3 Duty Tours as a UH-1F Helicopter Gunship pilot in South Vietnam.

Garland Tankersley (1940-2006) served 3 tours of duty as a Ranger and First Sergeant with the U.S. Army in South Vietnam. Garland was awarded the Bronze Star on three different occasions and also 2 Purple Hearts. Garland was married but museum has no details.

Carl Tim Tankersley (1949-1970) served a tour of duty as a Sergeant and as a helicopter door gunner with the U.S. Army in South Vietnam. He survived a helicopter crash with severe injuries and received a Purple Heart.

Edward and Tim died while at home on military leave at the Dalton Airport in 1970 when Edward's private plane crashed May 7, 1970. Newspaper coverage of this crash can be found in OLD NEWS section of this museum.

Neither Edward nor Tim was ever married or had children.

MUSEUM NOTES

Special Thanks to Tom Patterson for providing this family information as well as his newspaper coverage of the May 7, 1970, plane crash in which James and Tim died.

This is in the OLD NEWS section of the museum. Tom also submitted photographs of James and Tim and these can be seen in the PHOTOGRAPHS section of the museum. Thanks, Tom!

 

Murray County Families