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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Silver Star, DFC (2) Air Medal (12), Purple Heart, Medal for Human Action
Enlisted Infantry in March, 1940. While serving as Sergeant of the Guard on December 8th, 1941, got his first ride in an aircraft, an O-47, and fell in love with airplanes. The pilot told how to apply for Aviation Cadet training, and by the middle of February had been appointed a cadet.
Upon graduation from flight school was assigned to B-24 transition at Boise, Idaho, Casper, Wyoming and Pocatello, Idaho. Flew 50 combat missions with 15th Air Force and transferred to fighters (P-47s). Flew 90 missions as fighter pilot by war’s end.
Attended several Air Force Schools, including Squadron Officers’ Course, Command and Staff, Flight Test, and Degree Courses at USAFIT and the University of Chicago. Flew 196 round trips on the Berlin Airlift in 1948 and a tour in fighters in Korea, 1952. Held several command positions in both ground and flight instruction, including command of a Contract Primary Flying School (from T-6 to T-37).
Resigned from extended active duty in 1959 to accept employment as an airline pilot, but remained active USAFR until retirement in 1972. Flew as an airline pilot until retirement at age 60. Am presently Chairman of Wurtsmith Division, Yankee Air Museum, located on the former Wurtsmith AFB in Oscoda, Michigan. This museum is one of the top tourist attractions in Northeast Michigan. Staffed entirely by volunteers, it attracts between 10,000 to 12,000 visitors every summer from May to October.