William Butler Hutchison

Bill Hutchison, a member of the Ventura Crew, poses in his bomber jacket.

Courtesy of W.B. Hutchison

Quick Facts

Significance:

Bill flew 21 missions in his 2 ½ years in the Aleutians. He flew the PV-1 Ventura and late in the war the PV-2 Harpoon on missions over the Japanese Kurile Islands.

Bill Hutchison joined the Navy and elected to fly multi-engine land based bombers, certain he’d end up in the Pacific Theatre. The day he arrived on Attu, Tokyo Rose sent him a radio message identifying him by name and home town. Not to be deterred Bill flew 21 missions in his 2 ½ years in the Aleutians. He flew the PV-1 Ventura and late in the war the PV-2 Harpoon on missions over the Japanese Kurile Islands. In Bill's World War II Recollections and his interview, he recalls eventful flights, colorful characters in his squadron and unusual incidents that occurred while in the Aleutians as well as stories of his flying experiences following the war. 

In his photo gallery below, don'’t miss his photo of a particularly memorable flight over the Kurile Islands, where you can see a Japanese "Oscar" fighter practically touching his Ventura, as well as crew photos, training manuals and more.

Listen to interviews with William Butler Hutchison, a pilot for VP-139. Bill flew sorties over the Aleutians and Japanese Kurile Islands.

View a collection of photos from W.B. Hutchison. All photos are a courtesy of William Butler Hutchison.

Download a full transcript of Bill's interview.