Lt. William M. Buttner - Education & Pilot Training 

 

 William Buttner was a student at the New Mexico Military Institute from 1937–1942. Lt. Col. Jordy Wommack and the NMMI Alumni have generously provided photos from the NMMI Bronco yearbooks.

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Cavalry & Air Force Training

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2nd Lieutenant William Buttner joined the U.S. Army cavalry upon his graduation from NMMI. In April 1943, Buttner transferred to the Army Air Force, and began his training in California (Santa Ana, Oxnard, and Lemoore), along with fellow pilot Donald H. Kitzman.

 

He completed his advanced pilot training at Luke Field, AZ, Class - 44A, graduating on January 7, 1944 along with classmates Benjamin Brew and Alfred Riha. However, his photo was not included in the Luke Field class book, “SIR!” (photos of Brew and Riha do appear).

 

Following advanced P-47 Thunderbolt training at Harding Field Louisiana (along with Benjamin Brew), Buttner shipped out to England in April 1944 on the Queen Mary. After arrival, he was assigned to the 411th Fighter Squadron of the 373rd Fighter Group