Joined the Army Air Corps in January 1943 and served as a ball turret gunner on a B17.  During his last bombing mission, his plane was shot down over Germany.  He was a POW for the next nineteen months.  He also flew bombing missions during the Korean War with the US Air Force Strategic Air Command.  Awards include the Purple Heart & Two Oak Leaf Clusters; EAME Service Medal; AF Good Conduct Medal w 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; AF Longevity Service Award w/5 Oak Leaf Clusters; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. MSGT Mercer retired in 1970 after 26 years of service.