Duke Tully dies
The former publisher of the Arizona Republic died yesterday in Florida.
No worries that the paper would soft-pedal the scandal that drove him out of town; the obit goes into delightful detail:
Darrow “Duke” Tully, the former Arizona Republic and Phoenix Gazette publisher who faked an elaborate military career and resigned in disgrace, has died of complications from a stroke in Tampa. He was 78.
Tully was publisher of The Republic and Gazette until December 1985, when he resigned after learning that his political enemies were investigating his war record.
Tom Collins, Maricopa County attorney at the time, planned to have a news conference to expose Tully, who claimed to have been an Air Force combat pilot in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
[…]
Longtime friend and employee Bill Shover said Tully’s dual existence was driven by his need to win his father’s approval.
“He was rejected by the Air Force because he had bad vision and flat feet,” said Shover, former director of public affairs for Phoenix Newspapers Inc., which owned The Republic and The Gazette during Tully’s tenure.
Tully’s brother was killed in World War II during a training mission and his father criticized him for not becoming a war hero, Shover recalled.
That’s when Tully turned his sights on newspapers and was told he could curry favor with a small Indiana paper if he pretended to be a veteran.
From there, Tully’s stories about his military exploits escalated.
Comments
Francine hardaway Tuesday, June 22, 2010:
I was one if Duke Tully's charmees in the 80s when I had my PR company. He would take me to lunch at Avanti, where hewiuld have two martinis and tell me war stories. I knew nothing about the Air Force, so I had no way to judge truth. I was on a ski vacation with my daughters when the fraud story broke, and we still laugh about it.
Anon Tuesday, June 22, 2010:
Perhaps, Francine, you would like to consider that one mistake does not define a person. That one fabrication that was difficult to let go of made him any less honourable, kind, or loving. In between your bouts of laughter, maybe you should reflect on just what gives you the right to judge someone so harshly. I'm sure you've never made a regrettable decision in your entire, small-minded life. I hope there are none who hold you in such low regard for a transgression of your own.
APC Tuesday, June 22, 2010:
Duke was more than this one event. He was a good man, and came clean before the pressure from political enemies. He'd been dropping hints for some time, since he was wracked with guilt. Even though he was advised to quietly stop telling war stories and distance himself from it, he refused to stay quiet. THAT is the mark of an honorable man. Admitting his mistake and acknowledging fault.
And did he get any help from John McCain, after helping McCain so much? Not so much as a word of sympathy. McCain had gotten what he wanted, and washed his hands with no compassion.
Duke will be missed.
Arthur Throckmorton Saturday, July 17, 2010:
Francine Hardaway is a name I haven't heard in over 20 years since leaving the Arizona Republic to work for Duke Tully in California.
Darrow Tully had a presence about him that exuded confidence, strength and success. He was gentleman that gave anyone he met an equal opportunity to succeed or fail. He understood the power of a pat on the back and always acknowledged those around him. Yes he made a big mistake embellishing his past and claiming military honors. He also paid a huge price for it. May God Bless Duke's memory, his family and loved ones.
As for Ms. Hardaway, we worked together at one time and once you stop laughing, may I suggest you mature a bit and learn how to spell. At your age there really is no excuse!