Enlistment Fred stood at only 5’6, weighing 124 pounds. His health records described him as small framed, with a slim appearance. He had black hair and brown eyes. Upon his enlistment, Fred had to have a wisdom tooth pulled. Other than this minor hinderance though, Fred was a healthy young man with good eyesight and hearing and had no other issues, which helped to qualify him as a pilot.
Fred enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps on December 14th, 1942. He completed basic pilot training at Courtland Army Airfield, Alabama and was transferred to an advanced flying school for his performance. He also had postwar plans to work in Aeronautical Engineering.