I was sent to St. Petersburg, Florida for basic training, and then to Gulfport, Mississippi for C-46 and C-47 airplane mechanic school. After completing basic training, I went through aircraft mechanic school at the Boeing Aircraft Plant at Seattle, Washington. I was then based at Cheyenne, Wyoming; Harvard, Nebraska; Gowen Field at Boise, Idaho; Windover, Utah; and Mt. Home, Idaho. At these locations I trained B-24 and B-29 bomber crews in the maintenance of the aircraft engines prior to their being deployed overseas for duty.

I was discharged February 17, 1946, at Fort Douglas, Utah and returned to Canton, Ohio for a few years. I moved to Fresno, California in 1956, where I met my future wife. I married Betty Barnett in 1963 and have two stepsons and four granddaughters. I retired in 1983 after working for Valley Foundry and Machine Works in Fresno as a draftsman for 30 years.

I am a past Commander of Post 4, American Legion in 1990 and 1991. I met the Director of the Legion of Valor Museum, Chuck Monges, at a Fresno Veteran's Day Parade in 1992. He asked me to visit the museum, which I did, and promptly volunteered my services in whatever capacity I could be of help. I have been volunteering as docent at the Legion of Valor Museum since then.

I particularly enjoy meeting other veterans and discussing and comparing their service in the military with mine, and showing visitors this national museum.

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