Photos - The Early Years

A young Jesse with his older sister Flossie before World War II

In World War II, somewhere out in the Pacific

Jesse working on his tan, the only one without a shirt hanging with his buddies

Showing off his shooting skills with a Browning 50 caliber machine gun

Jesse is second to left standing, ready to fly another combat mission in the Pacific

A 19 year old Jesse. This was taken when he first joined the Army Air Corp in 1943

After World War II wearing the Air Corp patch on his sleeve

A day off to hunting with his shotgun in Japan

Jesse with his friend and future brother-in-law, Shingi Kawabata

"Hitting the town", all dressed up.  Occupied Japan

Jesse and Joyce, one of the first of many photographs together, 1950

Joyce and Jesse far end of the table during their wedding reception, 1950

No, it's not Clark Gable! Jesse is much more handsome (and humble)

Jesse and Tony in Japan

An early family photo in Japan

Flying somewhere over the Pacific on another adventure

Spear fishing on Johnson Island, where aircrews rested during Pacific
exercise. Jesse was always a great shot - land, sea, or air!

Joyce and Jesse held by cannibals in Hawaii