Tommy Walter Mullis

Sergeant Tommy Walter Mullis proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, demonstrating unwavering courage, commitment, and patriotism. A native of Panama City, Florida, Tommy was deeply loved by his family and respected by his community.

On Memorial Day 2025, his legacy will be honored through a unique and lasting tribute — an underwater memorial reef created and donated by Harman Metal Arts in partnership with the Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation. This living memorial not only celebrates his life and service but also contributes to the restoration of marine ecosystems.

Tommy’s son, John Mullis, is taking a deeply personal journey to honor his father’s memory, obtaining his Open Water SCUBA certification to personally place his father’s remains in the reef. This profound act of devotion reflects the strong bond between father and son, and their shared love for service and the sea.

The Celebration of Life for Sergeant Mullis will begin at the Man in the Sea Museum and continue with a patriotic procession to Lighthouse Marina, where the community is invited to take part by lining the harbor and flying flags in tribute.

Through this pioneering ceremony — one of the first artificial reef interments by the Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation — Sergeant Mullis’s story becomes part of a new legacy: transforming grief into growth, and honoring heroes through ocean conservation.

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If you were unable to attend the at-sea burial of Tommy Mullis, you can watch the video below along with a news segment from WJHG.

To see the WJHG spot covering this event, click HERE.