Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
New Boston, Illinois
Honored By
Sam E. Pennartz
ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON 4 NOVEMBER 1942 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. ASSIGNED TO THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATRE OF OPERATIONS, 13TH AIR FORCE, 307TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (HEAVY), 372ND BOMB SQUADRON STATIONED AT MOKERANG AIRFIELD, ON LOS NEGROS IN THE ADMIRALTY ISLANDS TO THE NORTH OF NEW GUINEA. ON 15 JULY 1944, HE FLEW AS THE CO-PILOT ABOARD B-24J LIBERATOR (TAIL # 42-73119) ON A MISSION TO BOMB JAPANESE AIR AND NAVAL FORCES ON YAP IN THE CAROLINE ISLANDS. WHILE UNDER JAPANESE 'ZEKE' FIGHTER PLANE ATTACK OVER THE YAP ISLAND TARGET AREA, HIS AIRCRAFT SUFFERED A MID-AIR COLLISION WITH ANOTHER B-24J LIBERATOR (TAIL # 44-40555) RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF BOTH AIRCRAFT AND AIRCREWS.