Welcome to the Civil Air Patrol America 250 series. We will be highlighting American hero members and their service leading up to the America 250 celebration. This is the seventh feature of that series: 1st Lt. Al Cerullo of CAP’s New York Wing. Catch up on the entire series here.
First Lt. Al Cerullo (seated in his Airbus Twin Star helicopter) ferries performers in 2015 to the Jones Beach Air Show, where he also helped man a recruiting booth for Civil Air Patrol. A legendary aviator from Long Island, he and his copter often drew a crowd as well.
Outside the bounds of New York City’s five boroughs, Civil Air Patrol 1st Lt. Al Cerullo may be the aviation legend you’ve never heard of.
But before dismissing the word legend as overworked and excessive, consider just a slice of Cerullo’s record:
A decorated helicopter pilot in Vietnam, Cerullo, now 81, flew in some of the most dangerous hot spots of the war, locales known to history like Chu Lai, Khe Sahn, Da Nang, the A Shau Valley, and Tet. He earned the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and awards for valor, while flying 1,605 air combat hours.
He was in a bunker for 30 hours at Khe Sahn in February 1968 during the siege of that Special Forces base.
“That was scarier than flying to be honest, because we could hear all these freakin’ rockets go off and all that.”
After the war, he went to work as an aerial cinematographer, filming commercials, TV shows like “The Sopranos,” rock videos with the likes of The Rolling Stones, and enough movie and TV credits to rival DeNiro, Duvall, Costner, and Cruise.
And, in 2017, he received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award from the Federal Aviation Administration in recognition for 50 years without a safety incident, the agency’s most significant honor. He is approaching 30,000 hours in the air.
That’s only part of the story.
In 2016, CAP members — from left, then-1st Lt. Mark Del Orfano, Cadet Master Sgt. Brendan Hondema, 1st Lt. Cerullo (wearing his Vietnam flight jacket), and Cadet Maj. Jared Del Orfano — take a tour of the New York Police Department Aviation Unit, which was arranged by Cerullo.
As a member of CAP’s Lt. Quentin Roosevelt Squadron on Long Island, Cerullo has mentored hundreds of cadets, primarily in aviation education. One of his former cadets, Ohio Wing historian Capt. Jared Del Orfano, tells a story justifying the legend of the plot of “355 Alpha Golf.” It happened a few years back. Using his connections, Cerullo arranged for his charges to tour the New York Police Department’s Aviation Unit. The police pilots were as wowed by meeting Cerullo as the cadets were meeting them.
“Al’s introducing us to all these famous aviation people when he was just as famous. As cadets, we didn’t realize it because he was so humble.”
Beginnings
Al Cerullo’s life reads a bit like a Hollywood script. It began in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. He lost his mom when he was only 2 years old and was raised by aunts and uncles on Long Island. Like any good film, a plot twist set the course for his entire life.
His father remarried later and the family moved to Long Island. Cerullo was attending college part time when he was drafted. He started as a truck mechanic. His uncles owned two large auto repair shops in Brooklyn.
“While I was in that [truck maintenance] school, I saw guys in helicopter maintenance school, and I thought I’d try that. I got in and was a crew chief for a year. While I was doing that, I saw guys in pilot training and they needed pilots. So it’s history from there. I got in and here we are 30,000 hours later.”
As a U.S. Army helicopter pilot in the late 1960s, Civil Air Patrol 1st Lt. Al Cerullo flew the large Delta model Huey to transport troops to and from the battlefields of Vietnam. He was a member of the 176th Assault Helicopter Company.
Vietnam and Blood on His Feet
One quality rings through Al Cerullo’s life, especially when reflecting on his wartime service:
Humility.
“He is such a humble guy,” Del Orfano said.
“We knew he’d been through some [stuff],” Del Orfano said, but his cadets really had no idea.
In Vietnam, Cerullo served in combat for 13 months, transporting fresh troops to the battlefield and the dead and wounded off the field, resupply, and other duties piloting the large Delta model Huey. He often flew in complete darkness, a natural camouflage from anti-aircraft fire.
“You’re dodging tracers and all that. You turn all your lights off, including instrument lights. It was a challenge, but we’re still here, you know?”
“He told us the story where he was doing medevac flights and they would push the nose forward and blood would run up to their feet and pool in the front of the chopper,” Del Orfano said.
Cerullo said, “I picked up guys with their arms blown off, their legs blown off.”
He was shot once. In fact, his sidearm and holster bear scars from the round.
“I was shot when we were landing on a hilltop to drop some troops off. When we got three to eight feet away and we were ready to drop the troops off, all of a sudden, you see these rifles coming out of the holes.”
His chopper took 32 hits, including his wound. But the chopper still flew.
“We flew to a hospital, and I landed in a rice paddy. When I came back, the helicopter wouldn’t start. Somebody up there said, ‘Eh. It’s not your time to go.’”
Cerullo’s combat service in the 176th Assault Helicopter Company ended on Nov. 9, 1968.
“My commander called me in after I went over 1,600 [hours],” Cerullo recalled. “He said, ‘You know what? Everyone else has 1,100 hours. You’ve got 1,605. I don’t know how that happened. Give me your helmet. I’ll give it back to you when you leave.”
In addition to his civilian career as a renowned aerial film pilot, 1st Lt. Al Cerullo has also been involved in military-related aerial work, as seen here assisting the U.S. Air Force A-10 Demonstration Team during an air show at Jones Beach. U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jamal D. Sutter (RELEASED)
After the War, A New Career
Cerullo originally planned to fly helicopters in the petroleum industry. But when he returned home to Long Island, he earned his flight instructor rating and met a Californian, John Carroll, the owner of Continental Camera. That began his film cinematography career.
His hangar is filled with movie and television memorabilia. One of his favorites was “Sweet Liberty,” written, directed, and starring Alan Alda, who Cerullo described as “a sweetheart.” He also was a double for Alda and co-star Lois Chiles in the 1986 film that also included Michael Caine and Michelle Pfeiffer.
His first film was 1971’s “Klute,” starring Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland.
His aerial photography for films includes major blockbusters in the Marvel universe, “Home Alone II: Lost in New York,” “Goodfellas,” “The Other Guys” with Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, and many, many more movies, TV shows, music videos, commercials, and even print ads.
Cerullo also did film work for the U.S. Air Force, flying the A-10 Demonstration Team back and forth to air shows.
His credits as an extra includes shows like “Law and Order.” He is a founding member of the Motion Picture Pilots Association. In 2009, he received the Society of Camera Operators Lifetime Achievement Award.
He still does groundwork for the film industry as an aerial coordinator.
“It’s been a fun career. It was fun to go to the movies and see that.”
A Mentor and Legend
As a member of Civil Air Patrol, Cerullo oversaw growth of the Roosevelt squadron’s cadet program. Membership grew to some 60 members. He served as deputy commander and commander for a time.
“He demonstrated what it means to be a compassionate leader,” Del Orfano said. "He showed how to care for your teammates, regardless of their rank or experience in CAP. He would always give every single person the same time of day, always willing to talk to them about aviation and the military … and their career goals. He cared about every single person.”
“Al is just the epitome of the patriotic individual who dedicates his life to serving his country. He had that amazing military career, that amazing flying career. Everyone has seen his work and been entertained by his job and on top of all that, he’s gone on to educate the future generation of pilots in America. That’s just awesome.”
Cerullo’s counsel to cadets: “Follow your dreams.”
First Lt. Al Cerullo still flies his twin-engine Airbus Twin Star helicopter, seen here in his hangar on Long Island.
Is Al Cerullo truly a legend?
“Yes, absolutely,” Del Orfano said. “We volunteered at the Jones Beach Air Show, and he would ferry the performers from the airport to the beach where the show center was. He would be out there with our recruiting tent. And there was this kid out there taking pictures of Al’s helicopter.
“’I know this helicopter,’” the kid said. “’355 Alpha Golf. This is the one in all the movies and stuff.’ This random guy knew who Al was. So, yes, I would say he is a legend. He has been around for a long time and has done so many things. This guy has been everywhere and done everything. This guy probably downplayed all his achievements. But as a pilot and as a person, he is a legend, 100 percent.”
Cerullo still flies his twin-engine Airbus Twin Star helicopter — his kids won’t let him fly a single-engine aircraft — and he also owns a Cessna 421. He hits the car show circuit as well with either his 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 with a seven-speed manual transmission or his 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.
“When I go to car shows with [the Cadillac], they keep giving me trophies.”
And in another twist, he made a confession. While he obviously doesn’t have a fear of flying, he has one phobia.
“I’m not afraid of falling out of a helicopter. But I’m afraid of falling off a roof.”
Asked if he considers himself a legend, Cerullo answers with characteristic humility.
“No,” he said. “I’m just a normal person.”
Use Your Skills in CAP
Civil Air Patrol’s adult ranks consist of volunteers from all backgrounds, including service in the military like Lt. Cerullo.
He uses his flying and mentoring skills to teach cadets in CAP, the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. In its role as the Air Force auxiliary, CAP offers hands-on training, mentorship, and service opportunities in support of emergency services and disaster relief nationwide.
To learn more about membership and find your local unit, visit gocivilairpatrol.com.
