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Friday, March 29, 2024

NFM Lending Salutes Kenneth Hutcherson

Last updated Thursday, February 1, 2018 12:50 ET

NFM Salutes WWII Veteran, Kenneth Hutcherson, who flew 22 bombing missions as a radio operator/gunner, as well as 4 missions in the bombardier position.

Linthicum, usa, 02/01/2018 / SubmitMyPR /

 NFM Lending is pleased to honor WWII Veteran, Kenneth Hutcherson, as the NFM Salute for February 2018.

After high school graduation in Halifax, Virginia, Hutcherson moved to Baltimore, Maryland in June 1941 and worked for Glen L. Martin Company. After 15 months, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He attended basic training at Keesler Field, Mississippi; radio school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and gunnery school in Las Vegas, Nevada. During this time, flight crews were being assembled in Moses Lake, Washington, with specialists coming from all parts of the country. All were trained as a flight crew, utilizing the skills required to man the thirteen 50-caliber machine guns and all other responsibilities.

After his training was complete, he was assigned to the 95th Bomb Group, 335th Squadron in Horham, England. During 1943-1944, Hutcherson flew 22 bombing missions as a radio operator/gunner, as well as 4 missions in the bombardier position. After the completion of those 26 missions, Hutcherson returned to Langley Air Force Base in Virginia in August 1944. While at Langley Field, he flew five nights a week to train radar operators with their equipment in the ball turret. Victory in Europe (VE Day) occurred in May during this time.

Hutcherson was discharged in October 1945. He was later called back from the Air Force Reserves in September 1950, but he was never activated and was discharged in May 1953. Hutcherson received several decorations, including the Air Medal (3 clusters), Distinguished Flying Cross, and 3 Presidential Unit Citations. He also received the Chevalier Legion of Honor from France.

After his discharge, Hutcherson worked for International Monetary Fund as chief of graphics until he retired at 65. Hutcherson was married for 67 years and has two children, a son, and a daughter. Today, Hutcherson resides in Towson, Maryland and continues to work once a week. He is the only surviving crew member of the 95th Bomb Group.   

Hutcherson was nominated by his friend, Brooke Massicot.

“I met Ken while he was working at the post office in my building. At 94 years young, he is a phenomenal writer and storyteller and has a great sense of humor. It is an honor to know Ken.”

To view a video interview of Kenneth, please visit https://youtu.be/Qs1LOACk1L4.

NFM Salutes is an initiative in which one military member or Veteran is chosen each month to be honored as the “Salute of the Month.” Salutes are chosen from nominations on the NFM Salute website, www.nfmsalute.com. The “Salute of the Month” will be featured on the website with a brief biography and information about his or her service, and NFM Lending will make a $1,000 donation to a military or Veteran non-profit in the Salute’s name. Hutcherson chose Platoon 22 to receive this month’s donation.

Selected NFM Salutes may choose from one of the following three non-profits: Platoon 22, AnySoldier, and the Gary Sinise Foundation. NFM looks forward to the opportunity to continue to honor military and Veterans through the NFM Salute initiative.

About NFM Lending

NFM Lending is a mortgage lending company currently licensed in 29 states in the U.S. The company was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998. They attribute their success in the mortgage industry to their steadfast commitment to customers and the community. NFM Lending has firmly planted itself in the home loan marketplace as “America’s Common Sense Residential Mortgage Lender.™” For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter.

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