"Swede" as he was known, came from Red Bluff, California, and was born 14 July 1919. He joined the RCAF and earned his wings in December 1940. When the U.S. established the 4th Fighter Group in England, "Swede" joined them in March 1943. He was assigned to 336th Fighter Squadron flying P-47 Thunderbolts, with which he scored his first victory. Later, flying the new Mustangs, "Swede" shot down three Me-110s in battles during March.

On 22 April his flight attacked 20-plus Me-109s. He chased one down to the deck and destroyed it to become an "Ace". On 25 February 1945, while strafing Kothen Aerodrome, he crash-landed on the airfield but climbed out on the wing to direct the rest of the destruction. He was taken prisoner and headed for POW incarceration, where he remained until the end of the war.

After he was released and returned to the States, he next became involved in the Korean War, where he flew combat missions with the 12 Fighter-Bomber Squadron from July 1950 to January 1951. During this time he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He left the Air Force in April 1951 and returned to red Bluff, where he lived until his death in 1977.