William Van Dusen (1891–1965) was a pioneering figure in American aviation history and public relations, whose career spanned from the early days of flight to the jet age. Van Dusen played a key role in shaping public perception of air travel during a period when it was transforming from a novelty into a cornerstone of global connectivity.

Van Dusen was born in 1891 and at 16 years old, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War I and served in France. He graduated from the University of Denver in 1924 and began his professional life as a journalist, writing for several Western newspapers. By 1926, he had moved to New York City, joining the staff of Dow Jones, the publishers of The Wall Street Journal. His talent for communication and keen interest in aviation soon led him to Pan American World Airways, where he joined in 1928 and founded the airline’s public relations department.

For the next two decades, Van Dusen was instrumental in promoting Pan Am’s image as a symbol of American innovation and international reach. He accompanied numerous pioneering survey flights around the globe, working closely with crews as they charted new commercial air routes. His close involvement in early flight planning and promotion made him one of the country’s foremost experts in aviation public relations.

In 1928, Van Dusen accompanied Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh on an aerial exploration of Mexico and Central America. During this expedition, several previously “lost” cities of the ancient Mayan civilization were rediscovered. This journey highlighted Van Dusen’s dual interests in exploration and storytelling.

During World War II, he served as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Assigned to a special mission prior to the Allied invasion of France, he later served ashore with the Army during the D-Day landings at Normandy. 

Following the war, Van Dusen continued his work in aviation, joining Eastern Air Lines as vice president of public relations, a position he held for 14 years until his retirement in 1965. His tenure at Eastern coincided with the expansion of commercial aviation into a truly mass-market industry, and his leadership helped guide the airline’s public image during this crucial period.

He was also Secretary of the San Diego chapter of the National Aeronautic Association and very involved in the San Diego aviation scene during this time. He passed away in a Miami hospital at the age of 74. 

Link to the collection's Finding Guide.