Denis James Mulligan (1900-1983) had a long career in civilian and military aviation. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1924, and later received a law degree from Fordham University in 1930, followed by a JSD Cum Laude from the Brooklyn Law School of St. Lawrence University. He served as Chief of the Enforcement Section, Investigator and Legal Advisor of the Bureau of Air Commerce of the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1934 and was its final Director until 1939. He is perhaps best known for heading the investigation of the Hindenburg disaster in 1937. After resigning as Director, he continued to practice law and served as a consultant on international matters for the Civil Aeronautics Board. He was a reservist called to active duty in the Air Force during World War II and the Korean War. In 1947 he was appointed legal advisor for the President's Air Policy Commission. After the Korean War he began business as an industrial consultant until his retirement in 1973. He was also active professionally and served on the International Technical Committee of Aerial Legal Experts (CITEJA) in Berne, Paris, and Lisbon and was a member of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.
From the guide to the Denis J. Mulligan papers, 1918-1985, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)
