Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Forth Worth, Texas
Honored By
Robert Charnetsky
Relationship
Friend
HE WAS ALREADY A BUCK PRIVATE IN THE U.S. ARMY WHEN PEARL HARBOR WAS BOMBED. IN DECEMBER 1942, APPLIED AND ACCEPTED INTO FLYING SCHOOL. GRADUATED FROM LUKE AIR FORCE BASE IN NOVEMBER 1943 AS A 2ND LIEUTENANT. FLEW MUSTANG P-51 IN EUROPE AND WAS SHOT DOWN OVER FRANCE. PARACHUTED SAFELY BUT WAS CAPTURED AND WAS A POW; ESCAPED IN BAVARIA AND RECAPTURED. HE WAS A POW FOR 11 MONTHS UNTIL HE WAS RESCUED BY PATTON'S 3RD ARMY.