American World War II Fighter Ace. Prior to World War II, he graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering and a Master's Degree from Princeton University in aeronautical engineering. In 1939 he joined the US Army Air Corps and earned his pilot wings the following year. When the US entered World War II in December 1941, he served as an aerial combat instructor. By August 1943 he was a major in command of the 37th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, 12th Air Force, based in North Africa. On October 9, 1943, during the Dodecanese Campaign, he led nine Lockheed P-38 Lightening aircraft on a mission to protect a British Royal Navy convoy off the Island of Rhodes, Greece, and engaged German JU-87 Stuka dive bombers in an aerial battle, downing seven of them, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. He was the first of two US Army Air Corps pilots to shoot down sever enemy aircraft on a single combat mission. Later, during the Italian Campaign, he shot down four additional German aircraft, giving him a total of eleven confirmed kills. Following the war, he remained in the military and transferred over to the US Air Force when it was formed in 1947. He retired from the US Air Force in 1965 at the rank of colonel. He died at the age of 89.
American World War II Fighter Ace. Prior to World War II, he graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering and a Master's Degree from Princeton University in aeronautical engineering. In 1939 he joined the US Army Air Corps and earned his pilot wings the following year. When the US entered World War II in December 1941, he served as an aerial combat instructor. By August 1943 he was a major in command of the 37th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, 12th Air Force, based in North Africa. On October 9, 1943, during the Dodecanese Campaign, he led nine Lockheed P-38 Lightening aircraft on a mission to protect a British Royal Navy convoy off the Island of Rhodes, Greece, and engaged German JU-87 Stuka dive bombers in an aerial battle, downing seven of them, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. He was the first of two US Army Air Corps pilots to shoot down sever enemy aircraft on a single combat mission. Later, during the Italian Campaign, he shot down four additional German aircraft, giving him a total of eleven confirmed kills. Following the war, he remained in the military and transferred over to the US Air Force when it was formed in 1947. He retired from the US Air Force in 1965 at the rank of colonel. He died at the age of 89.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Inscription
COL US AIR FORCE
WORLD WAR II
KOREA
VIETNAM
DSC
Family Members
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