Following graduation from high school in 1942, he enlisted in the US Army Air Forces at the age 17- with his parent's permission and a passion to become a pilot.

After graduation from flight training, he was assigned as a single engine instructor where his flying skills became more highly developed.

With termination of the flight training program, he was assigned to a B-24 training program and from that assignment was transferred to the China-Burma-India Theater of War as a copilot/pilot of transport aircraft involved in furnishing supplies for fighter groups operating against the Japanese.

Following the end of World War II, Larson worked for several years in Alaska on tow boats transporting salmon from the fishing banks to canneries spread throughout Southeast Alaska.

He returned to college in 1954, obtaining a Bachelor's and Master's Degree, which lead him to a teaching career of 30 years.

Ed Larson currently lives in Santa Cruz, California, where he has been active in sailing and serving as a volunteer docent for the Santa Cruz Harbor. He has one daughter, two granddaughters, and five great grandchildren.

His interest in aviation and boating continues from his earliest memories to the present day. Larson is also an active graphic artist and local writer. He has published two previous books and produced a number of commercial graphic art products.