Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Honored By
Friends of American Heroes
HE ENLISTED IN THE NAVY AT 17 AND WAS A .50 CALIBER MACHINE GUNNER ONBOARD MERCHANT SHIPS DURING CAMPAIGNS IN NORTH AFRICA AND ITALY. THREE OF HIS SHIPS WERE SUNK OFF OF THE ANZIO BEACHHEAD DURING THE INVASION OF ITALY. A GERMAN DIVE-BOMBER HIT HIS SHIP, WHICH WAS CARRYING 55 GALLON DRUMS OF GAS. HE ESCAPED THE SHIP UNHARMED BUT SPENT TWO DAYS IN A FOXHOLE PINNED DOWN BY ENEMY FIRE.