After graduation from the Naval Academy in 1933, Admiral Coye served in the cruiser USS Northampton (CA-26) and destroyer Monaghan (DD-354). Submarine school in 1937 was followed by service in the submarine Shark (SS-174) as engineer until 1941. He then helped put the mothballed submarine R-18 (SS-95) into commission and succeeded to command during patrols off Panama. The highlight of his career came during command of the USS Silversides (SS-236) on six successful war patrols, accounting to 14 confirmed sinkings of Japanese ships. After that Coye was submarine PCO instructor for two years and served on the staff of Commander Operational Development Force. Subsequent commands were the tender USS Fulton(AS-11) and Submarine Squadron Eight. After attending the Naval War College and serving on the staff of Commander Second Fleet, Admiral Coye commanded the heavy cruiser Rochester (CA-124), the Seventh Fleet flagship. While serving in the Strike Warfare Division in OpNav, Coye was selected for rear admiral, then served as Commander Naval Forces Marianas from 1961 to 1963. Later flag tours included duty as Commander Amphibious Group Three, staff of CinCSouth, and Commander Training Command Atlantic Fleet. He retired in 1968.