Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Mobile, Alabama
Honored By
Ken Tilley
JOINED THE NAVY FOR FLIGHT TRAINING ON JULY 1, 1942. HE WAS COMMISSIONED AN ENSIGN AND DESIGNATED A NAVAL AVIATOR ON JULY 16, 1943. HE FLEW F6F-3 HELLCATS FOR VF-10 ON THE USS ENTERPRISE. HE THEN FLEW F4U-1D CORSAIRS FROM THE USS INTREPID. HE BECAME AN ACE ON APRIL 16, 1945 WHILE SHOOTING DOWN 4 JAPANESE PLANES NORTHWEST OF OKINAWA. FOR THIS ACTION HE WAS AWARDED THE NAVY CROSS, HAVING ALREADY EARNED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS.