On 14 August 1944 in A/C #42-97852, we were ordered to bomb the electrical plant at Mannheim. There was not room for the parachute to be attached to the harness in the ball turret. I had always pushed my chute into an area just large enough to hold the chute and keep it from being thrown around the waist of a B-17. When our plane was hit by flak just before 'bombs away,' there was a violent movement of plane. The co-pilot was able to gain control and keep us from striking another plane. My chute was thrown loose in the waist. All control of the plane was broken when the co-pilot righted the plane. No electrical power so I needed to crank my turret by hand to get out. My chute could not be found. I finally spotted my chute near the open door, got it before it rolled out and made a jump for it. Landed safely. Prisoner of War (POW).

Awards: Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, Liberty Medal, PH, POW Medal, American Defense Medal, ETO Ribbon, WW II Victory Medal.