Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Force
Honored By
Roger A. Hesse
Relationship
Nephew
ATTACHED TO THE 82ND FIGHTER GROUP, 97TH SQUADRON. PILOT OF A P-38 WHEN HE WAS SHOT DOWN. DECLARED DEAD ONE YEAR AFTER HE WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION. JOINED THE ARMY AIR FORCES ON SEPTEMBER 27, 1941. GRADUATED FROM PILOT SCHOOL AT MATHER FIELD, CALIFORNIA ON APRIL 24, 1942. SAILED FOR ENGLAND ON DECEMBER 7, 1942 AND IN FEBRUARY 1943, HE LANDED IN NORTH AFRICA WHERE HE WAS ASSIGNED TO A P-38 SQUADRON.