Early service was aboard the battleship USS Maryland (BB-46), destroyers Overton (DD-239) and Monaghan (DD-354), and tanker Neches (AO-5). Joined the Helena (CL-50) as air defense officer in 1939. Was senior survivor when the Helena was sunk in the Kula Gulf in 1943, escaping to Vella Lavella island in the Solomons. Then was ordnance instructor at U.S. Naval Academy. Besides Washington billets, was exec of the new heavy cruiser Helena (CA-75), CO of the Stickell (DD-888), Pawcatuck (AO-108), and Roanoke (CL-145). In 1961 he became Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla Four, directing recovery operations for Project Mercury. Subsequently he was with the JCS, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Japan, Commander Anti-Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, and Commander of the U.S. Taiwan Defense Command.