Willis Watchell Butts

Military
media-17745.jpeg UPL 17745 Crew #748
Henry Hull/Lynn Thomas Crew
466th BG - 787th BS

Standing Left to Right: Michael Medic (TG), Lynn E. Thomas (CP/P), Henry Hull (P), William Brown (N), Scott Milleran (B)

Kneeling Left to Right: Henry Atwood (G), Charles Fletcher (R/O), Willis Butts (BTG), Walter Korth (FE), Jack Bullard (G)

Hull led this crew for it's first 14 combat missions at which time he transferred to the 784th BS to become a lead pilot and lead two other crews. Thomas took over and lead this crew for it's final 21 combat missions. 466th Bomb Group collection

Attlebridge Arsenal - Brassfield & Wassom

Object Number - UPL 17745 - Crew #748 Henry Hull/Lynn Thomas Crew 466th BG - 787th BS Standing Left to Right: Michael Medic (TG), Lynn E. Thomas (CP/P), Henry Hull (P),...

Connections

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Units served with

Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-705392
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot - Pilot - Detached Service with Office of Military Intelligence
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co Pilot - Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Delores Jean
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron

Places

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Cateechee, SC 29630, USA 18 June 1925

Other

466th BG Combat Tour

Attlebridge, Norwich, Norfolk NR9, UK 25 August 1944 - 25 February 1945

Died

Palm Harbor, FL, USA 5 November 2010 BUTTS, Willis Watchell age 85 of Palm Harbor, passed away Friday, Nov. 5th at Suncoast Hospice in Palm Harbor after an extended illness. He was born in Cateechee, SC on June 18, 1925 to Simon Paul and Lillie Dean Butts. He grew up in Walhalla, SC where he married his childhood sweetheart Evelyn Good. Willis served his country during WWII, flying 30 missions over Germany. After returning home he received his BS from Clemson University and after a stint as an apple/peach grower decided to join his wife as a teacher. They moved to St. Petersburg in 1957 with their son Dan. Willis received his Masters and then an EDS degree and spent the last 15 years of his 25 year education career as a high school counselor at Clearwater High School. After retiring from the school system, Willis moved to Spring Hill, where he provided low cost housing to needy families. Willis devoted his life to helping others. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; their son, Dan and a sister, Vera Keffer as well as four grandchildren & four great-grandchildren. Curlew Hills Funeral Home 1750 Curlew Road, Palm Harbor, FL will host visitation Tuesday Nov. 9 from 12-2 with services afterward and burial to follow at Curlew Memory Gardens.

Buried

Palm Harbor, FL, USA 9 November 2010 Curlew Hills Memory Gardens Palm Harbor Pinellas County Florida, USA

Other

Graduated

Clemson, SC, USA Bachelor of Science Clemson University

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Unit roster in the book ATTLEBRIDGE ARSENAL by Wassom & Brassfield, p 343

Willis Watchell Butts: Gallery (1 items)