Anthony Bush
Dad’s Eulogy.
For those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Harwell Parks Quillian jr. was known by many of his childhood friends as jr. his brothers and sisters in the military and coworkers in the oilfield knew him as Quill. I simply knew him as dad.
Dad was what a famous TV news personality would call a great American. He lost his mom Olga when he was twelve years old and I believe that was when he first began to exhibit an iron will and a determination to keep going that ultimately saw him defeat five different cancers, three of which had reached stage four.
Dad entered the military in January 1965 and immediately chose to face the challenge of becoming a PJ. He deployed to Asia on back to back tours during 1967-1968. During this time, he became the first member of the USAF to complete the Green Beret Recondo school. He later returned to Thailand in 1972-73 where he then became the last Pararescue NCOIC in Vietnam when he closed down the section in Danang. He was awarded numerous awards and medals including the DFC and multiple Air Medals.
Separating from the military in 1977 he flew as a bush pilot in Alaska, Amphibious aircraft pilot in the oilfield and Fiji before ultimately becoming a drilling bit salesman in South Louisiana. He worked his way into a Directional Drilling professional position and then a drilling manager where he designed multiple drilling programs that set numerous drilling records. His oilfield career took him around the world from the North, Central and South American Continent through Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the SW Pacific. It was in Dubai that Dad was to meet the last great love of his life. It just took him six years to figure it out but eventually he and Ms. Jenny were married in March 1998.
Dad loved to work with wood and to be in the outdoors. Fishing, hunting, hiking, mountain climbing, he loved it all. I think he loved flying most of all. He was an incredible pilot and was a certified instructor with IFR/VFR ratings, single engine and multi-engine as well as an acrobatic rating. He survived two small aircraft accidents one of which was a mid-air collision. In Alaska, while in a bank at low altitude the engine quit resulting in a crash where dad broke his leg and was cut up and bruised. In Houma La. A twin engine aircraft who stated he had the traffic in sight still managed to hit the aircraft dad was flying, knocking one float off the aircraft and the other wrapped around the leading edge of the wing. The passenger who was a friend said he tightened up his seatbelt so tight his wallet popped out. Dad coolly set the aircraft down in the bayou close to shore and both walked away with no injuries. I doubt a lesser pilot would have walked away from either accident. Perhaps Dad’s most challenging aviation crisis came in the early 80’s on a holiday flight from Louisiana to Florida. Traveling to see my Grandparents in a small single engine Cessna were three adults, one teenager and one precocious cocker spaniel named Sebastian. Now my wife Lynn who was one of the passengers had never flown in a small single engine aircraft before and was very nervous. Apparently, Sebastian was nervous too because at about four thousand feet the stress became too much and the dog “Broke Wind”. In a feat worthy of another DFC or at least an Air Force Civilian Achievement Award, Dad managed to retain control of the aircraft despite watering eyes from the noxious gases and panicked pleas from Lynn to “open the window”
Dad loved to play golf and when I was about ten years old, he convinced me to go with him and play. Now his idea of playing was me playing caddie and him playing golf. At some point that morning I remember hearing someone yelling four…and that’s the last thing I remember from the golf course. When I came to, we were headed to the car. I never played golf with Dad again.
When the first cancer was diagnosed, Dad maintained a positive attitude. He never doubted he would beat it. Each time a new cancer was diagnosed, dad still remained positive and determined. He fought to the very end. When the doctor explained that there was nothing else that could be done, he insisted on signing the DNR so Ms. Jenny wouldn’t have that burden. But after signing, he scratched through it and wrote in large letters “But I’m a PJ”. A PJ never quits because sometimes even the Seals need to call 911. After speaking with the doctor and thinking about it, Dad changed his mind and insisted we get on with it. Once he made the decision, he was insistent on getting it done immediately. He was thinking of his family to the end, not wanting it to drag on.
Dad, as stated in Second Timothy chapter 4 verse 7.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Tony Bush
May God bless and keep you. Amen
Letter to Elgin Armaments Museum about a PJ exhibit.
Hello Mr. Olmsted,
My name is Anthony (Tony) Bush. My Stepfather was Harwell P. (Quill) Quillian. Dad was a Vietnam War veteran PJ who passed away on August 6th 2024 after a twelve year battle with five different cancers. Dad was the very first member of the Air Force to complete the Green Beret Recondo School in Nha Trang. He was the last NCOIC for Pararescue in Vietnam when he closed the section at Danang in 1973. He was also one of the PJ’s who recovered Apollo 11. I know there is a “Pararescue museum” at Lackland but it has been described to me as being the size of a “broom closet”. I strongly believe these men deserve better recognition than that. I have multiple items that Dad left me that I believe should be in a museum. I have contact information for the Jolly Green and Pararescue Associations and would be willing to contact them to assist in collecting other artifacts and photos. I have dad’s “Party Suit”, about 30” long carved wood master aircrew and jump wings that were from the section in Danang. I also have a zippo lighter given to dad after the Apollo 11 mission among other items. I am more than willing to donate the items including an original drawing by the “Krazy Kraut” Udo Fisher who drew the famous original “Jack of all trades” artwork. If the Armaments Museum can’t accommodate this, could you please direct me to someone in the Air Force whose ear I could start bending? I was considering contacting the base civilian affairs officer at Hurburt but I want to make sure the exhibit is accessible to civilian and military personnel. I appreciate any feedback you can give me. Thank you for your time.