William Lawrence Read was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1926. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1949. Early in his career he served on board the destroyer USS Brownson (DD-868), the amphibious force command ship Mount Olypmus (AGC-8), the destroyer Jonas Ingram (DD-938), and the ocean escort Van Voorhis (DE-1028). He commanded the guided-missile destroyer leader USS King (DLG-10) from December 1966 to August 1968 and was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V “for meritorious service . . . during combat operations against the enemy . . . . Under Commander Read’s sound professional leadership and direction, King performed in an outstanding manner as the flagship of Commander Tonkin Gulf Search and Rescue Forces as Strike Support Ship.” He later received the Legion of Merit for his service in 1969–70 as senior aide and executive assistant to General Andrew Goodpaster, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe. In July 1972, as a rear admiral, Read assumed command of Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla Three and in April 1973 became military assistant to Secretary of Defense Elliot Richardson. Read was promoted to vice admiral in June 1977 upon taking over as Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.