Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Santa Maria, California
Honored By
Pearl Thomas
Enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 1943 when he was 17. Served as a radioman on the USS Zellars (DD-777), which was part of the Navy's 'Tin Can Fleet'. The USS Zellars participated in the Battle of Okinawa, which began on April 1 and lasted for 82 days. It was targeted on April 12, 1945 by kamikaze pilots that hit the destroyer midship. He lost his hearing from the explosion.