William Whalen was born in 1922. From Hamilton, New York, he was commissioned and won his wings in the USAAF in November 1943. He was assigned to the 4th Fighter Group, 335th Squadron in July 1944, where he became known as "Gooney Bird". In the same month he was transferred to the 344th fighter squadron, as part of exchanging some of the 334ths eager, but inexperienced pilots for some of the more combat savvy 335th pilots. William Whalen was one of the exchanged pilots.

In August, flying a P-51, he downed an Me-109 over France. The Luftwaffe was not very aggressive at that time, and having helped to get the 334th Squadron pilots on line, he applied for and returned to the 335th in August. He was credited with destroying three Fw-190s on 26 November 1944 and became an "Ace" in February the following year when he downed two Me-109s near Dessau.

He had eight victories and was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, and the Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters.

No further records were found other than the fact that First Lieutenant Whalen eventually died in New York State.