Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Ramsey County, Minnesota
Honored By
Sam E. Pennartz
ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON 12 DECEMBER 1942 AT FORT SNELLING, MINNESOTA. SERVED AS A RIGHT WAIST AERIAL GUNNER ONBOARD A B-17 FLYING FORTRESS ASSIGNED TO THE 8TH AIR FORCE, 94TH COMBAT WING, 351ST BOMBARDMENT GROUP (HEAVY), 510TH BOMB SQUADRON (RADIO CALL SIGN TIPSTAFF), AT ROYAL AIR FORCE POLEBROOK (USAAF STATION # 110), LOCATED ON THE ROTHSCHILD COUNTRY ESTATE IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, ENGLAND. ON TUESDAY 11 JANUARY 1944, HE FLEW HIS 70TH COMBAT MISSION ABOARD THE B-17 FLYING FORTRESS AIRCRAFT TAIL #42-31481 AND WAS SHOT DOWN BY GERMAN FIGHTER AIRCRAFT. HE WAS CAPTURED AND HELD AS A PRISONER OF WAR AT STALAG 17B BRAUNAU GNEIKENDORF NEAR KREMS, AUSTRIA.