Class 43-A; original activation of squadron; at MH till 1/44; flew P-47s. Plane [P-47D 42-8694 ] hit by flak, limping along, shot down by ME109. Plane caught fire and exploded, found myself in space still strapped in seat. Released seat, dropped to lower altitude and pulled rip cord. was over France and could see England while hanging in chute. French reached me first. Being wounded and burned, they could not take me. Was in hospital in Arras, France and met the pilot who shot me down. He went through the pieces of my plane and had to bail out. Hurt his leg when he hit the ground. Nice guy! Even apologized for my condition. Taken to Frankfurt, then to a Prisoner of War (POW) hospital and the shipped to Stalag Luft I, Barth. Liberated by Russians a few weeks before VE-Day. Sent to Camp Lucky Strike on the Coast of France. German Prisoner of War (POW)s lived better than we did. With some fellow Prisoner of War (POW)S, I took off. Managed a couple of weeks in Paris (AWOL) prior to being shipped home. Everyone treated us like Kings. That was a ball!!! Was in Reserve.



Awards: DFC, PH, POW, WWII Victory, EAME.



Post war: Remained in USAF serving in Korean and Vietnam conflicts.