Oct. 13, 1961 - Eugene Bullard, a Negro flier who was honored by France for his service in World War I, died today in New York City. His age was 67. Mr. Bullard, born in Georgia, ran away from home as a boy and went to Scotland as a stowaway. He became a welterweight prizefighter and boxed in England, France, and North Africa. When World War I began, Mr. Bullard enlisted in the French Foreign Legion. He suffered the first of four war wounds at Verdun. While convalescing, he transferred to the French Flying Corps, and he took part in many air battles. Between wars, Mr. Bullard was a bandleader in Montmartre, Paris, and then operated his own nightclubs. In World War II, while serving with the French army, he was wounded severely at Orleans. Americans helped to smuggle him out of France when the Nazis took over the country, and he returned to the U.S. In 1954, Mr. Bullard was chosen to relight the flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris. More recently, he operated an elevator in the R.C.A. building in New York. Mr. Bullard was a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor. His decorations included the Croix de Guerre, the Croix de La France Libre, and the Medaille de la Victoire.
