Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Wheeling, West Virginia
Honored By
Sam E. Pennartz
ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS FROM OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. ASSIGNED TO THE 8TH AIR FORCE, 14TH BOMB WING, 392ND BOMBARDMENT GROUP (HEAVY), 578TH BOMB SQUADRON, BASED AT U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES STATION #118 WENDLING AIRFIELD NEAR THE VILLAGE OF BEESTON IN NORFOLK, ENGLAND. ON 31 DECEMBER 1943, HE WAS WAIST GUNNER ONBOARD A B-24 LIBERATOR (TAIL #42-7605; RECALL LETTER: T-BAR). WHILE ON A BOMBING MISSION THAT DAY OVER A GERMAN OCCUPIED AIRFIELD AT ST. JEAN D’ANGLEY, FRANCE; THE AIRCRAFT WAS ATTACKED BY A BAND OF GERMAN FIGHTER AIRCRAFT, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF THE B-24 BOMBER.