He joined the Army Air Corps May 24, 1939 and left for the Pacific Island June 27, 1939 where he was assigned to the 3rd Pursuit Squadron where he became a Staff Sergeant and radio inspector.  He was wounded on December 9, 1941.  He was captured by Japanese and forced on the Battaan Death March.  After taking him to Nukden, Manchuria, he died February 19, 1943 and was buried in the camp burial ground there.