Though very humble and modest about his World War II military service, “Vern” served with the U. S. Army Air Force from August 15, 1942, thru Sept. 14, 1945, or as he would say, “three years and one month”.



He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, with Unit Badge, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with four Bronze Stars, and the Good Conduct Medal. He served as a flight engineer and gunner on B-17 aircraft and saw action on thirty-one missions over the Rhineland, Normandy, and other European locations. He and his crew were awarded Presidential Citations for extraordinary service.