June 1943
Graduated from high school. WWII is in high gear.
August 1943
Entered Army Air Corps with lifetime goal to become a pilot.
March 1945
Commissioned a 2nd Lt. and awarded coveted pilot's wings at age 19.
Sept. 1945
Completed B24 transition. Scheduled to deploy to the ETO. (European Theater of Operation.)
Plans canceled as war in Europe winds down. Immediately transferred to Roswell, NM for B29 transition and deployment to Guam. Plans then canceled due to A-bomb induced surrender of Japan. WWII ends!
Oct. 1945
Transferred to Guam for two years-attached to the USMC. Commanded a 2000 prisoner Japanese POW stockade for subsequent repatriation.
Sept. 1949
Assigned to newly formed 2nd Bomb Wing (VHB) as B29 Aircraft Commander at Davis-Monthan AFB. Transitioned to atomic equipped B29/B50 aircraft. Selected as a member of a cadre to establish the first joint USAF/UK Air Refueling Training Program utilizing specially equipped KB29 aerial tankers. Also participated in the B50 (Lucky Lady) first non-stop round-the-world flight via aerial refueling. The Cold War has begun
Dec. 1951 -
Oct. 1956
Assigned to the War Plans Division at Strategic Air Command Hqtrs. The most significant and rewarding assignment of my entire military career.
Oct. 1956-
May 1959
Duty in Oslo, Norway as USAF War Plans Officer for the Northern European Command. (NATO).
Oct. 1959
Assigned to Hqtrs. USAF as a Command Post Emergency Actions Team Chief. Subsequently selected and cleared by the US Secret Service to join the White House Staff as the USAF Presidential Project Officer responsible for arranging/coordinating total support for all presidential travels aboard Air Force One.
July 1967
Attended the USAF Air War College. Volunteered for pilot duty in Vietnam as a AC47 (Spooky) pilot. Subsequent assignment as a USAF Wing Commander Advisor to the Vietnamese Air Force.
Sept. 1968
Returned to the US as a NATO staff officer at Supreme Allied Command-Atlantic (a 15 nation joint staff hqtrs. located in Norfolk, VA)
July 1972
Retired from active duty. Meanwhile, the Cold War continues.

Total years service - 29.5

Highest rank - Lt. Col (USAF)

Flying time - 5000+ hours

Aircraft flown - AT6, B24, B25, B17, B29, B50, AC47, C54, C45,C46,C118

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

Throughout my career, in my absences, my wife Janis had to perform the role of both mother and father to our three children. Several years ago I presented her with a special plaque which attests to my feelings about her truly admirable performance, especially since the children suffered from serious long-term health problems. She is the epitome of what a serviceman's wife should represent...the answer to every serviceman's prayer. I SALUTE HER!