Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Hometown
N. Mankato, Minnesota
Honored By
Mr. Lyle R. Pearson
ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS IN 1942. B-17 PILOT IN THE 15TH AIR FORCE. ON HIS 50TH MISSION HIS PLANE WAS HIT AND HE WAS MADE A POW IN STALAG LUFT 1 UNTIL LIBERATED BY RUSSIAN TROOPS IN MAY 1945. AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, AIR MEDAL WITH CLUSTERS, AND THE PURPLE HEART. IN 1975 HE WAS ONE OF 6 US CITIZENS TO BE A GUEST OF THE SOVIET UNION AT AN INTERNATIONAL COMMEMORATION OF THE END OF WWII.