William D. Dunham World War II Collection
Contents of the Collection
The William D. Dunham World War II Collection is small collection comprised of visual materials related to the World War II military service of William D. Dunham, circa 1939-1945.
The collection primarily consists of seven photographs depicting Dunham and others with airplanes, specifically Dunham's Republic P-47 Thunderbolt "Bonnie" and North American P-51 Mustang "Mrs. Bonnie." In four of the photographs, other military personnel are also in the images. One print of the P-51 "Mrs. Bonnie" is cut to the shape of the plane. Japanese "kill" marks painted on the fuselage of the aircraft are visible in all the images. The prints range in size from 4x5 inches to 8x10 inches. Six of the seven prints are black-and-white, but one print is in color. This one is of Dunham with his P-51 "Mrs. Bonnie" and includes an inscription noting that the photo was taken the day the war ended.
The collection also holds a silk map, circa 1939-1945. It is Number C-42 of the Philippine Islands, featuring Samar. The map is 17x22" and is mounted on cardboard backing. The edges have been folded over and are taped to the back.
Dates
- Creation: circa 1939-1945
Creator
Language of Materials
All materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research and is accessible in the Dahlberg Research Center by appointment. For more information contact us.
Conditions Governing Use
The Museum of Flight (TMOF) Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the archives and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from TMOF archives before any publication use. TMOF does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.
Biographical Notes: William D. Dunham
William D. Dunham served as a pilot during World War II and continued in a long career with the U.S. Air Force.
William Douglas Dunham was born in Tacoma, Washington on January 29, 1920 to Edwin Gammon Dunham and R.D.V. Elizabeth Wahl. He had two brothers. He graduated from Nezpearce High School in Nezpearce, Idaho and attended the University of Idaho at Moscow, Idaho from 1937-1940. Dunham completed Air Corps Primary and Basic Flying Schools at Santa Monica and Moffett Field, California. He graduted from Advanced Flying School at Luke Field, Arizona, receiving a commission as second lieutenant on December 12, 1941. During World War II he served in the Pacific theater, deploying with the 342nd Fighter Squadron as operations officer and later commander. In July 1944, he became commander of the 460th Fighter Squadron in New Guinea and remained in this position until December 1944, when he became operations officer of the 348th Fighter Group, Philippine Islands. In 1945 he breifly came back to the U.S. before returning to the Pacific, serving as operations officer and then deputy commander.
Following the war, Dunham served as commander of Squadron B, 464th Army Air Force Base Unit at McChord Field, Washington. Later he served at Selfridge Field, Michigan; Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland; and Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. He left the Strategic Air Command in June 1951 to serve at Turner Air Force Base, Georgia and then Great Falls Air Force Base, Montana under the Strategic Fighter Wing. By 1958 he was serving in England as director of operations, 81st Tactical Fighter Wing. Followed that he served a term as commander, 479th Tactical Fighter Wing and then commander, 831st Air Division, both at George Air Force Base, California. In August 1966, General Dunham was assigned as deputy chief of staff for operations, Seventh Air Force, Vietnam.
Dunham retired from his extensive career with the United States Air Force on February 1, 1970. His rank upon retirement was Brigadier General. During his service he received the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Dunham married Bonnie Harris (1922-2012) on June 28, 1945. William D. Dunham died on March 3, 1990 in Issaquah, Washington and is buried in Bellevue, Washington.
Sources and Further reading:
Biography derived from collection information, records on Ancestry.com and USAF biography found online at https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107188/brigadier-general-william-d-dunham/
Full Extent
0.05 Cubic Feet (1 letter size folder and 1 oversize folder (20x24"))
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
Existence and Location of Copies
Materials from this collection have been digitized and are available at The Museum of Flight Digital Collections.
Separated Materials
The following items have been separated from the archival component and are kept in Objects storage:
- Silk map of Mindanao, framed
- Flight helmet, leather
- Binoculars with case
- Pistol, 32 Colt Automatic with case
- Dog tags on chain
Subject
- Dunham, William D. (William Douglas), 1920-1990 (Person)
- United States. Army Air Forces (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the William D. Dunham World War II Collection
- Status
- Completed Level 2
- Author
- Archives staff, J.Parent, Nicole Davis
- Date
- 2019; 2025
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
- Edition statement
- 2nd edition
Revision Statements
- 2019 October: Updated scope and content, agents, and subjects.
- 2025 October: Updated with photos returned from exhibit.
Repository Details
Part of the The Museum of Flight Archives Repository
9404 East Marginal Way South
Seattle Washington 98108-4097
206-764-5874
curator@museumofflight.org