AS Command Pilot of a B-17 Bomber Aircraft, I served with the 8th AF, 91st Bomb Group based in England during WW2"
Completed 33 aerial combat missions over targets in France and Germany, Bombed German defense positions along the
Normandy Coast - before, during and after the D-DAY (6-6-44) invasion by the Allies. On July 31, 1944 while bombing
Munich, Germany my aircraft was attacked by a squadron of PW 109 German fighters, followed by deadly anti-aircraft
flak explosions. A direct hit set two engines on fire. Anticipating the impendence of a disastrous fuel tank explosion- I ordered the crew to bail out. We were
captured immediately upon hitting the ground. After a
brutal session with the Gestapo, we were sent to a POW "camp near Berlin. In April 1945 we were liberated by General Patton and his rapidly advancing 3rd Army. The
sight of the General left an indelible impression in the
mind of every POW present. In addition to the DFC, I have been awarded 6 Air metals and tne Purple Heart.
I remained on active duty during the Korean War era.