Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
Springville, Iowa
Honored By
Marine Veteran
ENLISTED IN NAVY BUT TRANSFERRED TO ARMY. TRAINED AT VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, SOUTH PACIFIC TOUR BEGAN WITH LOADING AND UNLOADING FUEL DRUMS AND 500-POUND BOMBS. BECAME MECHANIC AND SERVED AS ASSISTANT CREW CHIEF IN 1942 AT NEW CALEDONIA ON B-26 AIRCRAFT. SPENT 1,320 HOURS (55 DAYS) ON TROOP TRANSPORTS, 380 HOURS FLYING TO TROUBLE-SHOOT PLANES AND MORE THAN 1,000 HOURS AS B-25 CREW CHIEF. ALSO WORKED ON B-18, B-24 AND B-17 AIRCRAFT. SPENT 26 MONTHS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC.