He enlisted in the Army Air Corps right after graduation and went to pilot training in San Antonio, TX. He completed more than 30 B-24 combat missions over Germany as part of the Evans Crew, before returning to the states, where he married his High School sweetheart on November 1, 1944.



His 30 plus years in full time military service included travel across the nation and world, with military assignments in CA, SC, TX, IL (2x), FL, HA, LA, MS, PA, and WDC, as well as tours of duty in Libya, Viet Nam, and Italy. Jack served in WWII, Korea and Viet Nam, and across his career piloted a variety of military aircraft, including the B17, B24, B25, C47, C54, C97, T6, and T33.



Among other military awards, Jack was a recipient of the Air Medal, Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.



After his final assignment at the Pentagon, Jack retired from the service in 1974