He was an Infantry Platoon Sergeant in World War II and saw action in the Pacific in the battles for New Guinea, Southern Philippines, and Luzon. He earned two Bronze Star Medals and a Purple Heart for combat wounds.

In Vietnam, he earned two awards of the Air Medal for flying AH-1G Cobra gunships. As a civilian, he served as a Test Pilot for Bell Helicopter.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and a charter member of the National World War II Museum.