Fred Hutcherson, Jr.,
(1912-1962), an Evanston, IL,
native, was a self-taught aviator, and by
the age of 23, he flew charters. He later went
on to train black military cadets at Tuskegee to fly. Hutcherson,
Jr’s many accomplishments include co-founding the first ever
black-owned International Airline (based in Haiti), was a Captain
with S.A.M. Airlines, a pilot for British West Indies Airlines, operated a Charter
service in Chicago, and was involved with the Chicago Defender’s Bud Billiken
Parade. Ferrying bomber planes to England in WWII, he was one of the first
Black aviators to cross the Atlantic.
Fred Hutcherson Jr. was born in Evanston, Illinois on July 6, 1912 at 1904 Asbury Avenue. He was the oldest of the three children born to Orain (nee Babcock) and Fred Hutcherson Sr., who ran a business on the corner of Asbury and Emerson. While still in high school, Fred Hutcherson, Sr. surprised his son, with his first airplane.
Fred Spitfire by Shorefront Legacy ArchivesThe Obsidian Collection Archives
A Spitfire is a British single-seat fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force and other Allies before, during and after World War II.
CanadaDorvale (1940) by Shorefront Legacy ArchivesThe Obsidian Collection Archives
Fred Hutcherson Jr. in Canada Dorvale (circa 1940s). A little known fact is he was one of the first African-American to fly across the Atlantic Ocean.
Fred Hutcherson Graduation (1941) by Shorefront Legacy ArchivesThe Obsidian Collection Archives
Royal Canadian Air Force graduation, 1941. Fred Hutcherson, Jr. is sixth from right.
Fred Friends and plane (1952-05) by Shorefront Legacy ArchivesThe Obsidian Collection Archives
One of Hutcherson's jobs was to ferry military airplanes such as the Lockheed Ventura, also known as Lockheed Hudson’s, from Canada to Europe.
Fred Hutcherson article by Shorefront Legacy ArchivesThe Obsidian Collection Archives
Hutcherson with British Airlines by Shorefront Legacy ArchivesThe Obsidian Collection Archives
After his service with the Royal Canadian Air Force, Hutcherson, Jr. took a job as a captain with British West Indian Airways based in Miami, Florida.
Fred Hutcherson ids (1944-11-25) by Shorefront Legacy ArchivesThe Obsidian Collection Archives
Fred Hutcherson trained black military cadets at Tuskegee to fly.
Fred Pocket photo (1942-05-05) by Shorefront Legacy ArchivesThe Obsidian Collection Archives
Hutcherson during his stint in World War II as a flying instructor at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama which earned him a Congressional Gold Medal.
Haitian flight school by Shorefront Legacy ArchivesThe Obsidian Collection Archives
After Fred and his business partners tried their hand in operating an airport, they revised their plan and instead began a Flight School in Port-au-Prince Haiti in 1948.
Fred with S.A.M. by Shorefront Legacy ArchivesThe Obsidian Collection Archives
Fred Hutcherson, Jr. was employed with several airlines. He was flight captain for Sociedad Aereonautica Medellin Airlines in Columbia, South America 1949-1952.
Evanston article about Fred by Shorefront Legacy ArchivesThe Obsidian Collection Archives
FH Business Cards by Shorefront Legacy ArchivesThe Obsidian Collection Archives
Fred Hutcherson was as much an entrepreneur as he was an aviator.
On June 18, 2011 at the Shorefront Legacy Center, Fred Hutcherson, Jr. was honored (posthumously) with a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, 9th district, during a ceremony organized by Shorefront. His son, Fred III, received the medal in his honor. The original medal was presented in March 2007 recognizing the Tuskegee Airmen’s “unique military record that inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces.” The original is on display at the Smithsonian.
Curated by: Dino Robinson
The Archives of Fred Hutcherson are located at Shorefront Legacy in Evanston, IL.
Partner: The Obsidian Collection Archives
