He entered the service on 13 September 1941 from Charleston, South Carolina, as a Private in the Air Corps. He had four years of college education, was single, without dependents and his civilian occupation was listed as: "Salesmen, insurance".

Edward was killed in France during Operation Neptune, Mission Galveston. He was the Co-Pilot of a British Horsa glider, LG 998, which was flying in Position #09. The WW II GP Association site has a statement from F/O Marvin Lauen, the Pilot of the glider, that describes what happened – apparently Edward was the only casualty.