He graduated from North High School and entered the United States Air Force in October 1970[citation needed] .

In February 1971, he was assigned as a B-52 Stratofortress crew chief in the 2nd Organization Maintenance Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

While there, he completed three successive tours at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in support of B-52 Operation Arc Light missions in Southeast Asia.

The Air Force swapped for a short time to a single black label worn over the left breast pocket which contained text including the rank, name, and position of the individual.

This article incorporates public domain material from Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David J. Campanale biography.