Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Alexandria, Virginia
Honored By
Friends of American Heroes
AFTER GRADUATING THE NAVAL ACADEMY HE SERVED AS AN ENSIGN ON BATTLESHIPS. AFTER COMPLETING FLIGHT TRAINING IN 1940 HE WAS ASSIGNED TO AIRCRAFT CARRIER DUTY IN THE PACIFIC. AS A FIGHTER PILOT, HE SHOT DOWN 5 JAPANESE PLANES WHICH QUALIFIED HIM AS AN ACE AND MADE HIM THE FIRST PILOT TO WIN 3 NAVY CROSSES.