He was a pilot of a B-17F of the 303rd Bombardment Squadron/358th Bombardment Group/8th Air Force. 277 bombers were on a mission on June 22, 1943 to bomb a synthetic oil plant at Huls, Germany. Anti-aircraft fire was heavy and the B-17F called "The Hunting Club" took a direct hit after dropping its 500 pound bombs. It crashed near Berg Bossendorf, Germany. Six crewmembers were killed and four survived but became POWs.