Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Mineral Wells, Texas
Honored By
A Grateful American
HE ENLISTED IN THE NAVAL AIR TRAINING. UPON EARNING HIS WINGS HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE U.S. MARINE CORPS AS A PILOT IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC. IN 1944 HE FLEW 96 MISSIONS IN NINE MONTHS IN A DAUNTLESS SBD-5 DIVE BOMBER. AS A LIEUTENANT HE WAS THE RECIPIENT OF SIX DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSSES AND AIR MEDALS.