Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Kearney, Nebraska
Honored By
Pearl Thomas
Relationship
A Grateful American
He joined the US Navy in 1937 and served as a diesel mechanic, welder and diver. He was on the USS Vestal, tied up to the USS Arizona on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese attacked at Pearl Harbor. The USS Vestal got underway and made it out of the way of the channel before it was sunk in shallow waters. He continued to serve in the Philippines and South Pacific for the duration of the war.