Born in 1924, he grew up at 130 East Passaic Avenue, Rutherford. He attended Mt. Ararat Church, boxed, played football, and dreamed of flying. At Rutherford High, he completed a three-year college equivalency to join the Army Air Corps. He served in the 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group, the "Red Tail" pilots led by Benjamin O. Davis Jr. He flew 26 combat missions and was honorably discharged.