Master Sergeant, US Army, Retired. He was a true war hero in every sense of the word. His decorations include the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Distinguished Service Cross (3 awards, for Valor), the Silver Star (2 awards), Bronze Star (2 awards, for Valor), Legion of Merit, Purple Heart (3 awards), Army Commendation Medal, and the Presidental Unit Citation. Born in Dayton, Ohio, his family moved to Akron, Ohio, where he quit high school at age 16, taking a job as a truck driver. In 1942, he was drafted into the Army, and assigned to Company G, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. On June 22, 1943, he landed at Oran, North Africa, and participated in the invasion of Sicily, then landed at Salerno, Italy, and then to Southern France. On March 15, 1945, his unit moved into Germany, encountering heavy resistance and all of the officers were either killed or wounded. Taking command of the Company, he successfully rallied his unit, and captured their objective. He continued to command Company G for nearly a week before new officers could be assigned. Over the course of a year, he convinced over 200 German soldiers to surrender rather than fight, and performed so many acts of valor that most soldiers familiar with him wondered why he wasn't killed. He was nominated three times for the Medal of Honor, each time the recommendation was downgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross (the next highest award). He was wounded again on 27 April 1945, while capturing seven Germans in a machine gun nest, again earning the DSC, and was evacuated to the US. While in the hospital, he met Mary Armstrong, an Army Nurse, and they were married on August 28, 1945. Leaving active duty, he worked as a lab assistant, but finding himself bored with civilian life, he rejoined the Army in Nov 1947, to finish 21 years with the Army. He retired on June 30, 1964, and moved to Tacoma, Washington, where he ran a gas station. From there they moved to Payallup, Washington, where Mary worked as a nurse in the nearby Soldier's Home.

Master Sergeant, US Army, Retired. He was a true war hero in every sense of the word. His decorations include the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Distinguished Service Cross (3 awards, for Valor), the Silver Star (2 awards), Bronze Star (2 awards, for Valor), Legion of Merit, Purple Heart (3 awards), Army Commendation Medal, and the Presidental Unit Citation. Born in Dayton, Ohio, his family moved to Akron, Ohio, where he quit high school at age 16, taking a job as a truck driver. In 1942, he was drafted into the Army, and assigned to Company G, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. On June 22, 1943, he landed at Oran, North Africa, and participated in the invasion of Sicily, then landed at Salerno, Italy, and then to Southern France. On March 15, 1945, his unit moved into Germany, encountering heavy resistance and all of the officers were either killed or wounded. Taking command of the Company, he successfully rallied his unit, and captured their objective. He continued to command Company G for nearly a week before new officers could be assigned. Over the course of a year, he convinced over 200 German soldiers to surrender rather than fight, and performed so many acts of valor that most soldiers familiar with him wondered why he wasn't killed. He was nominated three times for the Medal of Honor, each time the recommendation was downgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross (the next highest award). He was wounded again on 27 April 1945, while capturing seven Germans in a machine gun nest, again earning the DSC, and was evacuated to the US. While in the hospital, he met Mary Armstrong, an Army Nurse, and they were married on August 28, 1945. Leaving active duty, he worked as a lab assistant, but finding himself bored with civilian life, he rejoined the Army in Nov 1947, to finish 21 years with the Army. He retired on June 30, 1964, and moved to Tacoma, Washington, where he ran a gas station. From there they moved to Payallup, Washington, where Mary worked as a nurse in the nearby Soldier's Home.