He was an officer for the Harrisburg Illinois V.A. for 30 years. He served in the Army Air Force in World War II. He was in the 340th Bomb Squadron and 97th Bomber Group and was awarded many medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. His group was the first to do a daylight flight over Europe. He served as a ball turret gunner on a bomber. He was a life member of the Eldorado Illinois American Legion Post No. 169 and the VFW No. 3479 and was the past commander for both. The Veterans Affairs was his life.