Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Brookfield, Illinois
Honored By
Pearl Thomas
In March of 1943, at the age of 17, he volunteered to join the U.S. Navy. He was assigned to the USS Kitkun Bay, CVE-71 (a small escort aircraft carrier) as an Aviation Ordnance Petty Officer Second Class. While on board the Kitkun Bay, he participated in the invasion of Leyte, Philippine Islands and the Battle off Samar on October 25, 1944, as a member of the decorated task force 'Taffy 3'.