Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Excelsior, Minnesota
Honored By
Ken Tilley
BECAME A PILOT ON MAY 20, 1943. HE BECAME A P-61 PILOT IN THE 422ND NIGHT FIGHTER SQUADRON IN THE 9TH AIR FORCE. FLYING A P-61A NAMED 'BATTLE AXE,' HE BECAME AN ACE ON APRIL 11, 1945 OVER KASSEL, GERMANY. HE WAS ONE OF ONLY FOUR P-61 'BLACK WIDOW' CREWS THAT ACHIEVED ACE STATUS IN WWII.