SERVED WITH 15TH AIRFORCE, 456TH BOMB GROUP, 744TH BOMB SQUADRON AT STORNARA AIRFIELD, CERIGNOLA, ITALY. BOMBARDIER 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 ON APRIL 25, 1944. AWARDED PURPLE HEART.