Born August 10, 1920 in Salmon, Idaho. He joined the Utah National Guard in 1937. In 1939 he joined the Army Air Corps and was selected for air cadet training, but was dismissed before graduation from flight school. Serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps when World War II broke out, he joined the Royal Air Force in London, in September 1940. From 1940 to 1942, wearing the uniform of the Royal Air Force he participated in the Battle of Britain. He was the youngest squadron commander in the Royal Air Force, flew 130 combat missions over the English Channel and scored nine enemy kills. He entered the U.S. Army Air Forces in September 1942, was assigned as executive officer, 4th Fighter Group, England, in July 1943, to the 8th Fighter Command in 1944 and the 65th Fighter Wing. On his return from combat, he was appointed Chief Air Attache, Washington D.C. in August 1945. He served various command duties to include, 41st Air Division, 5th Air Force, Japan 1961, the Union of South Africa and assistant chief of intelligence, Staff, Commander in Chief, Pacific in 1967. He retied a Major General on July 31, 1970.