Tuberville Names Wilmer’s David Bedford August Veteran of the Month

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville has selected U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer David Bedford of Wilmer as his August Veteran of the Month, citing a career of service that began in the skies over Vietnam and continued for decades in Mobile County classrooms and communities.

“When it comes to the military, there is no such thing as working 9 to 5,” Tuberville said in announcing the honor. “You are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer David Bedford of Wilmer, he still has this mentality about serving others.”

From Fort Rucker to Vietnam

A Mobile County native, Bedford grew up with an example of sacrifice close to home — his father was a World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient. In 1969, Bedford enlisted to train as an Army pilot, following in his father’s footsteps. After completing flight training at Fort Rucker, he deployed to Vietnam in 1971, where he logged more than 1,500 hours flying Huey helicopters on resupply and transportation missions.

Of all the missions he flew, Bedford said the most meaningful were the resupply runs that carried mail to infantry troops in the field. “The most satisfying flights that I had was when I was flying resupply, especially mail, to the infantry out in the field because it was something that they didn’t have every day,” he said. Letters from home, he said, offered soldiers a moment of comfort during a dangerous and difficult time.

Bedford said flying combat missions in Vietnam was far more demanding than flying stateside, and danger was a constant companion. He came under fire twice during his more than 1,500 hours in the air. “And I was never in a helicopter that got hit, so I was really blessed,” he said, crediting the prayers of his wife, Theresa, his mother and other family and friends for helping bring him home safely. His homecoming came with a special introduction — a daughter born while he was overseas was waiting to meet him for the first time.

A Second Career in Mobile County Schools

David and Theresa Bedford went on to have two more daughters and raise their family in Mobile County. When Bedford first returned home, the local National Guard did not yet have an aviation unit; once one was established in the area, he joined and served for nearly three years.

Bedford also completed his degree at the University of South Alabama and began a second career in the Mobile County school system, teaching algebra and geometry before becoming a school counselor. “I enjoyed teaching in the classroom,” Bedford said. “I taught algebra and geometry, so I really taught some good kids.”

As a counselor, Bedford spent many years working with high school freshmen before shifting his focus to juniors and seniors preparing for graduation and life after high school. “I was working a lot with juniors and seniors to kind of encourage them as far as more than living for the day, thinking about what you’re going to do in the future so your studies and your habits you’re developing now get you prepared for what’s going to come up in the future,” he said.

Bedford has continued to find ways to serve his community in retirement. He and Theresa volunteer through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, known as RSVP, assisting with community events and helping seniors in their area. The couple are also members of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, pairing their love of motorcycles with opportunities to share their faith with fellow veterans. Bedford additionally rides with the Patriot Guard Riders, an organization that supports Gold Star families and works to ensure they know they are not alone.

“David’s generosity of his time has truly made a difference that spans far beyond our state,” Tuberville said. “It is my honor to recognize David Bedford as the August ‘Veteran of the Month.’”

Alabamians may nominate a veteran for consideration in Tuberville’s 2026 Veteran of the Month series by emailing his office.

About Fort Rucker and the Huey

Fort Rucker, in Alabama’s Wiregrass region near Ozark, has been the home of U.S. Army aviation training since the mid-1950s, and it trained thousands of helicopter pilots for service in Vietnam. The post was renamed Fort Novosel in 2023 and restored to the Fort Rucker name in 2025.

The Bell UH-1 Iroquois, known almost universally as the “Huey,” was the Army’s primary utility helicopter during the Vietnam War, used to move troops, evacuate the wounded and carry supplies and mail to units in the field.