Assigned to 526BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. Shot down 29-May-43 in B-17 42-29773 'Up & At Them', Prisoner of War (POW). 

"As Squadron Navigator I was awaken about 400 a.m. and summoned into operation room to attend a briefing and navigation planning of the mission. 1 was told that the target was the sub pens at Saint-Nazaire and given all the navigation data to the target and back to base. Then, I attended the op briefing. The Squadron Commander Captain John O. Hall had selected to fly lead Lieutenant Willard S. Thomas's plane and crew so I replaced his navigator. After briefing, we were driven to our ship The Group took off at 1:45 p.m. with 24 ships. Three aborted for various reasons and 21 x ships were over target. We were low Group flying at 23,000 feet. The flak was intense and as we were the last Group over target it was very accurate too. Our plane received two direct hits by flak that I know of One was in the tail killing the rear gunner. The other hit was in the bomb bay, I believe killing the ball turret gunner. As the plane was hit it rose up violently in the air, then started to lose altitude. One engine on the starboard side was on fire. Our ship flew out over the sea and Captain Hall on the intercom asked Technical Sergeant Belock to go back and inform the crew to wait until we hit land before abandoning ship. Meanwhile, at least two Me 109's were firing into the tail of the ship. We did have fire power in front but none in the rear. When we reached the coast, Captain Hall ordered abandon ship. I went out of the forward hatch which failed to eject so I Squeezed out and air suction helped to pull me out. The left bomb bay door was hanging from the Flak hit and my steel helmet hit it. The next thing I remember was floating down in the parachute. Our plane was on fire and suddenly it flipped over and dove straight down into a grove of trees that appeared to have a farm house in the center. The plane exploded and set the trees on fire. I prayed that no innocent people were hurt. Meanwhile I was drifting south towards the sea. Suddenly, I started to drop very fast. I landed in a coastal village, in a cobblestone plaza where the German garrison were having their afternoon retreat parade. A German officer ordered two soldiers to pick me up. As I was stood up there were French people who had watched my descent. They clapped their hands and smiled, I smiled back and felt like a hero. A French lady came out of the crowd and patted me on the back. She was immediately arrested. I shall never forget the bravery of these people. I was taken in an open sedan, the German officer sat in front with the driver and two armed guards stood on the running board. As we drove, I saw two American airmen walking with their hands up guarded by two German soldiers. It was Captain Hall and Lieutenant Thomas. I was taken to a first air station that apparently was also Gestapo headquarters. The French lady that patted me on the back was in the next room. She came to the door and waved and also put her finger to her lips to let me know not to talk. A German doctor then examined me and took care of my leg. I was given a crutch. I was then transported to a prison in Vannes where my leg was sewed up and then I was put into a cell. I don't know how long I was there before I was taken out and placed on a train to Paris. Captain Hall and Lieutenant Thomas were with me. At Paris we were placed into a truck and driven to a railroad station on the way to a prison camp in Germany."

Awards: PH, POW, EAME, WWII Victory.