United States World War II Army Air Corps Aviator. He was one of only a handful of American pilots to get airborne during the initial Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, December 7, 1941. He was credited with shooting down two Japanese aircraft with an additional two unconfirmed kills. His role during the attack was re-enacted in the motion pictures "Tora! Tora! Tora!" (1970) and "Pearl Harbor" (2001). He was also one of the first pilots to be decorated in the war earning the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal and Purple Heart. Following the war he commanded the 4925th Special Test Wing in New Mexico before serving in the Pentagon. He retired from the military in 1971, having reached the rank of Brigadier General. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame in 2019. He died in an assisted living home from natural causes at the age of 86.
United States World War II Army Air Corps Aviator. He was one of only a handful of American pilots to get airborne during the initial Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, December 7, 1941. He was credited with shooting down two Japanese aircraft with an additional two unconfirmed kills. His role during the attack was re-enacted in the motion pictures "Tora! Tora! Tora!" (1970) and "Pearl Harbor" (2001). He was also one of the first pilots to be decorated in the war earning the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal and Purple Heart. Following the war he commanded the 4925th Special Test Wing in New Mexico before serving in the Pentagon. He retired from the military in 1971, having reached the rank of Brigadier General. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame in 2019. He died in an assisted living home from natural causes at the age of 86.
Bio by: Nils M. Solsvik Jr.
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