SERVED WITH THE 15TH AIR FORCE, 456TH BOMB GROUP, 744TH BOMB SQUADRON AT STONARA AIRFIELD, CERIGNOLA, ITALY. TOP TURRETT GUNNER ON THE B-24 LIBERATOR BOMBER, "LEAP YEAR LADY", THAT EXPERIENCED ENGINE TROUBLE WHILE ON A MISSION TO BOMB THE TURIN AIRCRAFT FACTORY IN NORTHERN ITALY AND CRASHED INTO THE ADRIATIC SEA NEAR FOSSACESIA, ITALY. AWARDED PURPLE HEART AND AIR MEDAL.