After graduating from high school, I worked at the Bishop Furniture factory where I installed springs in overstuffed furniture, for a period of three Months. Then, due a work slowdown I resigned. The new workplace was at a retail store called "The Gamble Store" for a salary of $80 per month (less than 25 cents per hour). The normal work day was for 14 hours, except Saturdays, the workday on that day was 10 hours. Sunday was a free day, except for special meetings which occurred about once a month. My position was Sales Clerk, Tire Installer, and Auto Parts Shipper.

On June 1, 1941 I went to work for A.T.& T. Company for $20 a week, including room and board. I worked as a Groundman and Gang Clerk. Our territory was all States west of the Mississippi River. On December 7, 1941 I was attending the State Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah watching a pirate movie called "Captain Blood." The film was stopped at about the midway point, the house lights came on, and an announcement was made saying that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor.

On June 7 of 1942 I was married to Betty in Evanston, Wyoming. While working in the Salt Desert west of Salt Lake City in October 1942, I learned that I could try for enlistment in the Army Air Corps as a combat crewman. I passed the examination, even though the requirement was for two years of college or the equivalent.