Bill Maris Stories

In 1939 at the age of 20 Bill put up his hand to volunteer for the US Navy at the urging of his father. He eventually ended up in VP-43 as a flight mechanic and was shipped to the Aleutians where he witnessed the destructive forces of weather on aircraft and humans and the dangers inherent in an air war. His story and photos provide a first hand account of training in WWII with the US Navy and what life was like for a young man in the Service. He describes the missions flown in a PBY and the challenges faced in day to day life. His extensive collection of photos document his fellow servicemen, weather conditions, mishaps and the rigors of Navy boot camp.

Bill’s birthday celebration in 2009.

Courtesy AMM1C Bill Maris, USN, VP-43, Aleutians Islands, Alaska, June 1942-June 1943.

Cal Olsen and Bill Maris at Bill's home when Cal was in the area and paid a visit. Cal was Bill's radioman the last half of their year in the wonderful Aleutian Islands in 42/43.

Courtesy Bill Maris

Accessible PDF versions:

• I Held Up My Hand - Bill's story of volunteering for the Navy in 1939
• PBY Operations at Dutch Harbor
• Keeping Up Morale
• Flight Log of VP-43
• Two short stories of the Williwaw: PBY Goes Airborne Without a Crew! and Another Sea Story of VP-43!