In January of 1997, Ryan Walsh found a WWII military dog tag at what is referred to as "The Fly" in New Orleans, which is one of the areas in town overlooking the Mississippi River.

He found this tag by a steel river barge that used to be there, sunken into the muddy riverbank. That barge has since eroded away.

Wanting to return this dog tag to the veteran, he contacted Patriot Connections Dog Tag Project for some help in locating him.

As it turns out, this WWII hero, William R Hutchinson, passed away on February 10, 2001 and is buried alongside his wife and parents at Courtenay Cemetery in  Pass Christian, Mississippi.

He was born on October 17, 1916, served in the USMCR during WWII and beyond - attaining the rank of Lt. He graduated Loyola University in New Orleans where he met and married Audrey Duclos, where they resided for some time before moving to Indiana, and later to Florida. They had 5 children.  Some fond memories of their time in Louisiana is expressed in an obituary write up of his son, Robert J. (click here to view).

William had worked for 35 years for Eli Lilly and Company and retired as executive vice president of pharmaceuticals in 1975.  He was also a member of the board of directors of Eli Lilly, a member of Meridian Hills Country Club and Crooked Stick Country Club

Of his 5 children, 2 sons - William Jr, passed away in 2021and Robert J, passed away in 2018. His 3 daughters, are alive and well -  Marie Hutchinson Amass, Ann Hutchinson Williams and Kathryn Hutchinson Eaton. Plans are now underway for Ryan to return his dog tag to his daughter, Ann, in Georgia.

RIP Lt Hutchinson and thank you for your service!